Archives: Cal/EPA Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness
This page links to detailed information that was posted during specific disasters. This information may be useful to those planning for the future or responding to similar situations.
Summary of Past Responses | Fire Response and Recovery | Oil Spill Response
Summary of Past Responses
Fire Response and Recovery
July Wildfires (updated July 27, 2010)
Bull Fire, Sequoia National Forest This fire is burning in the Sequoia National Forest on both sides of the Kern River in Tulare and northeastern Kern Counties. With over 5000 acres burned and only 5% containment, voluntary evacuations were issued for the area of Kernville. One shelter for residents and pets is open at the Lake Isabella Senior Center. At this time, there are no threats to drinking water systems and prevailing winds are keeping smoke concentrations in the moderate range. The US Forest Service is monitoring smoke and will coordinate with ARB and local air districts on health advisories, if needed.
Constantia Fire, Lassen County: This fire is approximately 2000 acres with 30% containment. With sparse population and remote residences, it is difficult to know how many people are affected. There are no shelters open at this time. Union Pacific freight traffic has slowed in the area because of fire personnel. There are no reports of heavy smoke at this time.
Numerous other lightning strike fires are currently burning, including in Lassen County. The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for Lassen and Modoc County through Wednesday, 7/28/10 and high fire risk days have been issued for parts of Northern California through Friday, 7/30/10.
California Fires (August – September 2009)
Station Fire:
Approximately 125 residential structures burned in the Station Fire. DTSC is working with Los Angeles County on the removal of hazardous material and asbestos from selected properties. The City of Monrovia (http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/component/content/article/66-general/449-station-fire-recovery) and Los Angeles County (http://dpw.lacounty.gov/care/) have multiple resources for the affected communities, including information about potential mud flows and erosion during the winter rainy season.”
49 Fire:
The 49 Fire began on 08/30/09, at Hwy 49 and Rock Creek near Auburn in Placer County.
- The fire was 100 percent contained at 340 acres on 09/01/09.
- There are two (2) firefighter injuries reported.
- Destroyed structures: 63 residences and 3 commercial.
- Damaged structures: 3 residences and 6 commercial.
DTSC worked with Placer County, along with their hazardous waste contractor, to staff a household hazardous waste collection for fire victims. In addition, DTSC surveyed and removed hazardous materials onsite from 59 burned properties. DTSC, the Regional Water Board, and CIWMB have been mission tasked by CalEMA (Mission No. 2009-INL8011) to work with Placer County on a debris removal plan to help the community recover from the fire. Additional fire recovery information is available at the Placer County webpage.
Southern California Fires (November 2008)
Many large fires are burning across Southern California, from Santa Barbara County south to just over the Mexican border. Air quality may be unhealthful at times. Residents are urged to listen for local air quality reports. In addition, burned areas may present multiple hazards, including ash and debris, melted metals, and burned pesticides and household chemicals. Extreme caution is urged for any resident wanting to re-enter a burned home or neighborhood. More information is available on the Fire Response and Recovery page or by contacting CalEPA’s emergency response coordinators.
Fire Season (2008)
On May 9, 2008 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the opening of the 2008 Fire Season. Historically, fire season begins on July 1 of every year. But because of the lack of winter rains and windy and dry conditions, there are higher than normal fire risks state-wide.
"This year's fire season has already begun," Governor Schwarzenegger said. "We need every firefighting resource and tool on ready alert, so we can spring to action when disaster strikes. Executive Order S-03-08 requests CalEPA coordinate with the Resources Agency, OES, and others on preparation for wildfire mitigation and recovery efforts.
More information is found on the Fire Response and Recovery page.
Southern California Fires (October 2007)
On October 21, 2007, a series of wildfires began burning across Southern California. The fires, fueled by drought conditions and Santa Ana winds in excess of 60 mph, engulfed wide stretches of land from Santa Barbara to the US-Mexico border. There was an unprecedented evacuation of close to half a million residents in the affected areas, with San Diego County being severely impacted. Governor Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven California counties and President Bush concurred with a federal declaration of emergency.
The recovery efforts are now well underway, with hazardous material and debris removal, as well as multiple efforts to assist residents, prevent erosion, and protect drinking water sources from contamination.
By the numbers (11/03/07):
- Confirmed fatalities – 9
- Reported injuries – 139
- 8,884 firefighters responded
- 18 fires in 7 counties
- Total acres burned – 517,267, or approximately 800 square miles
- Structures destroyed – 3204
- Structures damaged – 436
More information is found on the Fire Response and Recovery page.
Lake Tahoe/Angora Fire (Updated November 2007)
The debris removal from properties affected by the Angora Fire was completed ahead of schedule on October 25, 2007. The debris removal and sampling of properties affected by the Angora Fire was completed ahead of schedule. There was 100 percent participation by property owners, and an unprecedented 22,000 man-hours without a single worker injury. Continuing recovery efforts include implementation of erosion-control measures and removal of burned trees on much of the affected property.
By the numbers (as of 8/24/07):
- 5,700 tons of concrete delivered for recycling
- 48,680 tons of ash and rubble for disposal
- 257 homes requiring debris removal
- 257 sites with complete debris removal
- 246 sites in the sampling confirmation stage
- 161 sites with sample results approved
The model for citizen-local-state cooperative efforts for debris removal from the Angora Fire is being applied to the recovery efforts for the October 2007 firestorm in Southern California. More information is available on the Fire Response and Recovery website.
Sacramento Trestle Fire (Updated August 2007)
In March 2007, a wooden train trestle caught fire northeast of downtown Sacramento, California. The fire engulfed approximately 1300 feet creosote-treated wood ties and structural beams and continued to burn uncontained for 48 hours. The smoke was heavy at times and contained some potentially dangerous chemicals and particulates. In response to a request by the Sacramento air district, OEHHA and ARB identified the major potential health impacts during the fire. Their analysis is now available from the OEHHA emergency response website.
Oil Spill Response
British Petroleum – Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Gulf Coast (updated June 2010)
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) toxicologists continue to be a resource for states affected by the Deep Water Horizon spill and have consulted with Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida on fisheries and beach closures. OEHHA staff have joined staff from other state agencies, including the Department of Fish and Game, in providing expertise gained from oil spills and seeps on the California coast.
For real time information and forecasts on the spill, including surface oil trajectories, locations of incident command, and marine mammal sightings, please visit NOAA’s interactive map of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response.
For real time information about wildlife rescue efforts, please visit the Oiled Wildlife Care Network.
The Dubai Star Oil Spill (October 2009)
On October 30, 2009 an estimated 422 gallons of bunker fuel was unaccounted for during the refueling operations of the tanker vessel Dubai Star three miles south of the Bay Bridge. A Unified Command consisting of The O’Brien’s Group, California Department of Fish and Game’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response, and the U.S. Coast Guard was established following the incident to oversee cleanup efforts.
As of November 18, approximately $7.2 million has been spent on the response, paid for by the responsible party. At the height of the response, more than 300 people were working in the field and the command center.
OEHHA (http://www.oehha.ca.gov/public_info/emergency/oilspill.html) has provided information about fisheries closures and public health effects of the oil spill.
Cosco Busan Oil Spill (November 2007)
On Wednesday, November 7, a Chinese container ship, the Cosco Busan, struck a support tower of the Bay Bridge. The bridge was not damaged, but the ship released an estimated 58,000 gallons of fuel oil into the San Francisco Bay. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) determined that the spill affected waters west of the Carquinez Bridge and a three-mile-wide stretch of the Pacific Coast between the Point Reyes Lighthouse in Marin County and San Pedro Point in San Mateo County.
In response, Governor Schwarzenegger suspended all fishing and directed OEHHA, in consultation with the California Department of Public Health, to make a determination about the health risk posed by eating fish and other seafood caught in the impacted area. After extensive sampling and analysis, OEHHA found no increase in contaminants in seafood caught in the oil spill area except in mussels. The fishing suspension will be lifted December 1. However, OEHHA will be releasing a fish advisory for mussels.
Information about safety at area beaches, guidelines for sport fishers, an interim fish advisory, and sampling and analysis of affected fish, crabs, and mussels are available at the OEHHA website.
Report on the safety of consuming fish and shellfish from areas impacted by the M/V Cosco Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay, California.
Information about the areas impacted by the oil spill, beach closures, and efforts to rescue wildlife are available at the Department of Fish and Game website.
By the numbers (11/27/07):
- Counties affected – 5
- Personnel responding – 881
- Responder injuries to date – 22
- Total oil discharged – 53,570 to 58,000 gallons
- Cubic yards of oily solids recovered – 2438
- Live oiled birds captured to date – 1059
- Deceased birds collected – 1591
- Birds released to date – 193
- Beaches closed – 18
- Personnel at the Oiled Wildlife Care Network – 100 volunteers and 19 paid staff
California Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.calepa.ca.gov
General Public Contact, cepacomm@calepa.ca.gov (916) 323-2514
Technical Contact, webmaster@calepa.ca.gov