Beaches from Malibu to Santa Monica closed due to LA fire debris
 
 
 
 
 
 

Beaches from Malibu to Santa Monica closed indefinitely due to LA fire debris

Fire debris runoff and pollutants in the water may contain toxic or carcinogenic chemicals
/ 01:39 AM January 31, 2025

LA fire debris

FILE PHOTO – Beach front properties are left smoldering in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. The ocean water remained off-limits Thursday, Jan. 30, at beaches stretching from Malibu to Santa Monica due to LA fire debris carried to the coast. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

SANTA MONICA – The ocean water remained off-limits Thursday at beaches stretching from Malibu to Santa Monica due to the recent rains and fire debris carried to the coast, while a water quality advisory was in effect for all beaches as far south as Playa del Rey.

“Beach users should avoid water and stay away from fire debris or heavy ash on the sand,” according to the county Department of Public Health.

The water closure impacts all beaches from Las Flores State Beach in Malibu to Santa Monica State Beach, and it will remain in effect until further notice. Health officials said the LA fire debris runoff and pollutants in the water “may contain toxic or carcinogenic chemicals.”

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A water quality advisory will also be in effect indefinitely for all beaches from Surfrider Beach to Las Flores State Beach in Malibu and from Santa Monica State Beach to Dockweiler State Beach at World Way in Playa del Rey.

The advisory strongly urges people to avoid contact with the ocean water, and with any fire debris on the beach.

Meanwhile, the US Environmental Protection Agency crews continued working Thursday to identify and remove hazardous waste from properties ravaged in this month’s wildfires, as many residents returned to sift through the rubble of what used to be their homes.

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Questions continued to linger about exactly how long it would take for residents to begin the rebuilding process, but county and federal officials said Wednesday the process was being expedited as much as possible.

The first phase of the cleanup effort — the removal of hazardous materials from properties in the burn area — was underway, with the EPA under demand to complete the work in the Palisades and Eaton fire zones within 30 days.

As of Thursday morning, the Eaton Fire in the Altadena and Pasadena areas was 99 percent contained after burning 14,021 acres, with repopulation efforts completed.

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That fire caused at least 17 deaths, while destroying 9,418 structures and damaging 1,073 more.

The Palisades Fire was 96 percent contained after burning 23,448 acres and killing at least 12 people.

The fire destroyed 6,837 structures and damaged 1,017 others.

The Hughes Fire in the Castaic Lake area burned 10,425 acres and was 98 percent contained as of Thursday.

All evacuation orders have been lifted, with residents only being permitted back into the burn areas. (With CNS report)

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