Latest news with #LosAngelesCountyDepartmentofBeachesandHarbors
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mystery sediment washes ashore following Los Angeles wildfires. Is it safe to swim and surf?
LOS ANGELES – Residents and beachgoers along the Los Angeles County coastline have noticed dark and silty sediment washing up onto local beaches following recent California wildfires and subsequent storms. The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH), which operates and maintains 18 public beaches along the Pacific Ocean coastline from Malibu through San Pedro, said it has tested the debris and ash for fire-related substances and health risks, particularly at Will Rogers State Beach and Topanga Beach. Samples provided to county health officials and other local and state agencies for analysis in February have offered some reassurance following the deadly devastating wildfires. According to DBH, early test results indicate that the sediment does not appear to be hazardous material and poses no immediate threat to the environment or human health. Palisades Fire Causes Significant Damage To Los Angeles-area Schools This comes after a handful of wildfires in the Los Angeles metro raced through numerous neighborhoods after igniting in January. Tragically, over two dozen people were killed as wildfires razed upwards of 15,000 homes and businesses and created unhealthy air for millions of residents. Storms then carried the ash and debris from the infernos into rivers and streams. Eventually, the ash and debris flowed into the ocean, where waves washed the material back onto the beach. This is a natural process after fires, especially during rainy or windy conditions, according to DBH officials. "The test results for contaminants – including metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds and asbestos – were below levels that would characterize the debris as hazardous waste," the agency notes. Fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades Lot Sells For Over $1 Million After Home Reduced To Ashes By Wildfires Initial tests found metal concentrations that are likely consistent with naturally occurring background levels, and importantly, no asbestos was detected. Other substances analyzed were either not found at all or present in only extremely limited and minor concentrations. Additional testing is also planned in the coming months, with a target of completion before the Memorial Day weekend. Despite the sediment's unusual appearance, county officials currently have no plans to remove it from the beaches. "Removing it could harm the ecosystem by disturbing rocks, sand layers and marine habitats," the DBH said. "It could also erode the shoreline, potentially causing long-term environmental damage." Instead, the current strategy is to allow natural processes to take their course. Officials anticipate that the natural action of tides and weather patterns will gradually clear the sediment away over time. Last week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health lifted the ocean water advisories that were in place along the coastline following recent wildfires and subsequent runoff. Los Angeles Metro Engulfed By Deadly Apocalyptic Wildfires Fueled By Hurricane-force Wind Gusts Based on data collected in January and February, environmental advocacy group Heal the Bay (HTB) is cautiously optimistic that chemical contamination from the fires no longer poses a major risk for swimming and surfing in local waters. While the water quality appears to be improving, authorities are urging continued vigilance due to the presence of physical debris in the water and along the shore. "Because debris can include sharp objects, everyone should continue to use extra caution to avoid anything that looks like wildfire remnants, whether on the sand or in our coastal waters," HTB said in their April 10 update. See It: Los Angeles Homes Stand Unscathed Like Mirage In Sea Of Ash Following Raging Fires Debris removal has begun on the 300 homes along Pacific Coast Highway that were lost in the fires. "While this is great news for the bay, there may be a risk to human health within 250 yards of debris removal activity," HTB adds. This activity can disturb contaminants, potentially releasing them into the air and water. Out of an abundance of caution, HTB is also highlighting that recreating within this 250-yard radius may pose an additional risk to beachgoers, swimmers and article source: Mystery sediment washes ashore following Los Angeles wildfires. Is it safe to swim and surf?
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Crews scramble to save cormorant eggs in wind-damaged tree in Marina del Rey
A eucalyptus tree in a Marina del Rey park that was home to dozens of soon-to-hatch double-crested cormorant eggs became unstable after strong winds, prompting a rescue mission to remove the eggs earlier this month. A total of 20 nests holding more than 60 unhatched eggs and chicks were found on the failing tree inside Burton Chace Park. The tree's trunk split as a result of strong winds, causing a large piece to topple near a walkway leading to the park's parking lot. The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors and the International Bird Rescue's Los Angeles Wildlife Center assembled a crew to move the eggs and chicks to a safer location. Two wildlife biologists assisted in the March 10 rescue operations, according a county news release Monday. The eggs and chicks were sent to a wildlife center in San Pedro and the rest of the tree was cut down. Most of the rescued nests contained three to four eggs, some of which had recently hatched. Double-crested cormorants are colonial nesters, meaning they build nests close together, usually in large numbers, and in elevated areas near water as their diet consists of various fish, according to the National Park Service. Each parent takes turns incubating the eggs over a monthlong period, according to the beaches department. 'Feeding and caring for hatchlings is a delicate and time-consuming process, and Bird Rescue clinic staff are working into the night each day helping raise these birds,' the department said in a news release. 'Many of the rescued chicks may be in care for up to three months.' It was not immediately clear where the birds will be released, or sent to, following the assisted care. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire Debris Washing Up On Los Angeles Beaches Causes Alarm
Environmentalists are raising concerns about wildfire debris that's washed up on Los Angeles beaches, saying they're skeptical of the county's assurances that the shoreline is safe for people. 'This is an unprecedented event, and we must wait for the results of additional testing before declaring our beaches safe,' environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay warned residents Wednesday, telling them to stay off the sand. The message comes a week after the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH) said the debris ― charred matter from destroyed homes and businesses that washed into the oceans during January's massive fires ― is 'not hazardous to beachgoers or the environment' but that beachgoers should take steps to avoid large pieces of debris, as it 'may be unstable, have sharp edges or contain nails.' Those precautions should be stricter, Heal the Bay urged, saying it's learned that the county's determination 'is likely based on only two debris samples' 'These samples were collected to determine the disposal method required to remove the debris, not to determine if it is safe for people to be on the sand. It is alarming that DPH would make this proclamation based on only two data points,' the group said. DBH declined to comment when asked for its thoughts on Heal the Bay's concerns. The department said last week that it would be conducting more testing this week. January's dozen-plus fires in LA were some of the most destructive in state history. The vast majority of the damage was caused by the two biggest ones: the Eaton Fire in Altadena and the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades. The blazes killed at least 29 people and destroyed 18,000 homes and other structures, potentially unleashing heavy metals and other harmful compounds into the environment. While the county has been removing large pieces of debris, it's not touching the 'dark, silty sediment' ― the matter that Heal the Bay says could be dangerous — saying 'removing it could harm the ecosystem by disturbing rocks, sand layers, and marine habitats. It could also erode the shoreline, potentially causing long-term environmental damage. Instead, natural tides and weather will gradually clear it away.' LA Mayor Ousts Fire Chief Over Response To Destructive Wildfire Trump's Mass Layoffs Raise Risk Of Wildfires In West, Warn Fired Workers Man Agrees To Plead Guilty For Flying Drone That Damaged Firefighting Aircraft In LA Wildfire
