 Returning Safely to Formerly Evacuated Areas
As residents return to their neighborhoods, the Los Angeles County Departments of Public Health and Mental Health are asking fire victims to take the appropriate steps to safeguard their physical and mental health by following these safety tips and reaching out for professional help if experiencing mental health distress.
Precautions When Returning Home After the Fire
Areas that have been affected by the wildfire are impacted by smoke, soot, ash, chemicals, water, and structural damage. Before entering any area heavily damaged or destroyed by a wildfire, be sure that officials have cleared the area and allowed entry.
Once you can enter a burned-out area, please take appropriate precautions and be aware of hazards to your health and safety when returning to a property.
Hazardous Material Removal
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to survey, remove, and dispose of hazardous materials from properties burned by the Eaton and Palisades wildfires in Los Angeles County.
The EPA’s work removing hazardous materials is in Phase 1 of the federal cleanup. This work is free to residents.
Click here to learn more about the process.
Repopulation Information
- Eaton Fire: All Altadena communities are now open for residents to return. Some areas are still under Evacuation Order with “soft closures.” For full details, see LA County Sheriff's Nixle alert.
- Palisades Fire: For full details on the designated communities that can return, see LA County Sheriff's Nixle alert.
National Weather Service Issues Fire Weather Watch
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 10 PM tonight. However, due to gusty Santa Ana winds and very low relative humidity for a large portion of Los Angeles County, a Fire Weather Watch has been issued from Tuesday evening through Thursday night.
For more weather information from the National Weather Service, click here.
Learn more about what to expect after your return in this FAQ.
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