U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Valley Fire Response - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IX
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Subject:
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POLREP #11
Progress
Valley Fire Response
Middletown, CA
Latitude: 38.7526718 Longitude: -122.6265309
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To:
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Bret Moxley, EPA Region 9
Randy Nattis, EPA Region 9
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From:
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Bret Moxley, On Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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10/23/2015
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Reporting Period:
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0730 10/2215 - 0730 10/23/15
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
Stafford Act |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
Response Lead: |
FEMA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
NPL Status: |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
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Start Date: |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Stafford Act
1.1.2 Site Description
On 12
September 2015 at 1324 the Valley Fire began in Lake County CA, primarily impacting the communities of Middletown, Hidden Valley Lake, and
Cobb. The fire covered 76,067 acres and 1,958 structures were destroyed,
including 1,280 residences, 27 multi-family buildings, 66 commercial buildings,
and 585 out buildings. 93 structures sustained damage including 41 residences,
7 commercial buildings, and 45 minor structures.
On 27 September 2015, the Governor of California, Edmund G. Brown Jr., issued Executive Order B-33-15, to initiate cleanup of burnt debris and ash in Lake County as a result of wildfires. The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has been assigned to manage the removal and proper disposal of the solid waste and debris left over from the fires in Lake and Napa Counties.
On 28 September 2015, using Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) authority, United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) EPA Region 9 On Scene Coordinators (OSCs) with the support of START contractors began clearing properties of household waste (HHW) and perform air and radiation monitoring.
On 3 October 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency received two Mission Assignments from FEMA under ESF-10:
1) For activation and provision of a Debris Management SME for HHW planning ($50,000);
2) Direct Federal Assistance (DFA) to collect, stage and dispose of HHW ($3,500,000).
United States EPA has been tasked to manage the categorization, removal, and appropriate disposal of HHW and orphaned containers at properties with destroyed residential structures within the Valley Fire boundary in Lake County. EPA will coordinate with State and Local agencies to facilitate all operations supporting the Valley Fire Response.
1.1.2.1 Location
Lake County,CA
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Each day, U.S EPA contractors' Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) and Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) crews deploy to 5 Divisions (Divs A-E) in Lake County and assess
only those structures where right-of-entry is permitted. Properties are
documented and HHW assessment activities are performed, including air and
radiation monitoring and asbestos testing for H&S proposes when appropriate. Orphan containers such as pressurized cylinders are evaluated, collected and transported to the staging area. After assessment and documentation, properties are
released to CalRecycle for remedial operations.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
On 28 September, at the State's request and
under CERCLA authority, EPA Region 9 OSCs (without contractor support) began clearing 33 properties of HHW and orphan
containers near public schools to minimize risk to school children and so
that California’s debris management teams could scrape the structure pads and
prepare them for recovery. A total of 47 bulk asbestos samples were collected at 18 properties to identify the presence of respirable asbestos to protect response personnel .
Following the initial HHW recovery efforts, at the State's request and under CERCLA authority, EPA Region 9 OSCs with the support of EPA START Contractors continued the process of clearing properties of HHW and orphan containers from priority locations within the Valley Fire boundary. A total of 1162 parcels with significantly damaged structures were identified using structural damage assessment data from Lake County.
1.1.4 Command Objectives
- Ensure
the safety of response personnel and the public.
- Minimize
economic impact by ensuring costs commensurate to tactical objectives.
- Operate all activities
with respect for residents and the community.
- Maintain situational
awareness through a systemic and planned process for tasking, collecting,
processing, analyzing, and disseminating information.
- Keep public and
stakeholders informed by providing an accurate and timely release of incident
information.
- Manage a coordinated
inter-agency response effort.
- Identify,
characterize, and recover all household hazardous waste to include pressurized
containers.
- Ensure disposal of
recovered HHW appropriately.
- Identify areas with
asbestos and collect samples accordingly for health and safety purposes of
field operators.
- Maintain site security
and situational awareness at all times.
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Establish an informational
transfer process to facilitate communications with stakeholders and
organizations.
1.1.5 Command Emphasis
- Ensure proper PPE at all times including respirator.
- Follow work/rest ratio.
- Stay hydrated - highs in the 90's
throughout the week.
- Watch for citizens and families as you
work since these areas are not closed off to the public.
- Watch for slips trips and falls, nails,
and sharp objects that could be buried under ash.
- Have an SOP in place for possible radiation sources. *REMEMBER SMAC* STOP - MOVE AWAY - ALERT - CLOSE OFF
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Do NOT pick up or take anything that is not
characterized as a HHW product. These are peoples belongings!
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
Lake County, largely affected by the wildfire, is located
east of Mendocino County, north of Napa Valley. The areas exhibiting the
greatest extent of fire damage to structures include the communities of Cobb,
Middletown, and Hidden Valley Lake. Parts of northern Napa County and eastern
Sonoma County were also affected, resulting in a total area of 76,067 acres
burned. Middletown California marks the location of CalRecycle's Disaster
Recovery Operations Center (DROC).
United States EPA (EPA) has been tasked to manage the
categorization, removal, and appropriate disposal of HHW and orphaned
containers at properties with destroyed residential structures within the
Valley Fire boundary in Lake County. EPA will coordinate with State and
Local agencies to facilitate all operations supporting the Valley Fire
Response.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
During this operational period:
U.S. EPA implemented 3 HHW task forces and 1 survey
team consisting of an EPA OSC, START and ERRS contractors, and a Lake County
liaison. The three task forces covered three target areas: Hidden Valley Lake,
Cobb, and Middletown. Each task force conducts an air and radiological
monitoring evaluation. Once completed, the HHW characterization and removal
process commences. During this process, if any cylinders are determined
to be of suspect condition for transport and or should still have a payload,
the cylinders marked and START identifies the property in the GIS.
EPA's high hazard team has started to evaluate high pressure cylinders
that have been collected and staged to date. Additionally,
collaborating with GIS and situations, the high hazard team
has evaluated and cleared 68 sites identified by the HHW
task forces as having target cylinder(s).
USCG Pacific Strike Team members have been coordinating
field activities in the ICP and providing site safety.
See below for most current HHW item counts and property
assessments.
2.1.3 Progress Metrics
Valley
Fire Daily Totals
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DATE
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CLEARED
PROPERTIES
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30 SEP
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8
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2 OCT
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12
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8 OCT
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15
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9 OCT
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8
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12 OCT
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9
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13 OCT
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21
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14 OCT
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28
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15 OCT
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50
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16 OCT
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47
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19 OCT
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78
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20 OCT
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57
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21 OCT
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58
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22 OCT
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86
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TOTAL
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477
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Valley
Fire Incident Totals
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Total
Properties*
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Properties
Remaining*
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Percentage
Complete*
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HHW
Characterization
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1034
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597
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42%
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437
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*These numbers fluctuate daily due to ROE granted or
revoked.
Valley Fire HHW Item
Counts with Cumulative Total
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Non-RCRA
Solid
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Paint-Related
Material
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Propane
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Aerosols
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Thick
Walled Cylinders
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Empty
Cont.
Disposed
as scrap
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9
OCT
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281
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46
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120
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190
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5
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143
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12
OCT
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0 (u)
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130
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13
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241
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0
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25
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13
OCT
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195
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109
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39
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488
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1
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20
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14
OCT
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492
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105
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90
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546
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0 (u)
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2
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15
OCT
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480
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228
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111
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811
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16
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163
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16
OCT
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700
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151
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209
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514
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10
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117
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19
OCT
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663
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50
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168
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710
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31
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135
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20
OCT
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471
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43
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151
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565
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7
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152
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21
OCT
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635
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13
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137
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623
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13
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136
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22
OCT
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339
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43
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324
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841
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6
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230
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TOTAL
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4256
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918
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1362
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5,529
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89
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1,123
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
To date, the GIS and data team has identified 981 total properties that are targeted for
HHW assessment and removal activities. This number is determined by the County as those properties where Right-of-Entry (ROE) is granted by the homeowner.
Crews consisting
of ERRS and START contractors deploy daily to areas within the
Valley Fire boundary in Lake County which has been subdivided into five
divisions; from southeast to northwest - Division A, B, C, D, and E.
Targeted areas are determined in conjunction with CalRecycle and the
County of Lake, focusing only on properties where the owner has granted
Right-of-Entry. Once a property has progressed through Site Documentation
and HHW Assessment activities, including air and radiation monitoring and
asbestos testing, CalRecycle proceeds with remedial operations.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
U.S EPA continues to run 3 HHW task forces that began October 13, and added a survey team that identifies sites in conjunction with Cal Recycle. Each HHW task force consists of an EPA OSC, START and ERRS
contractors, and a Lake County liaison. EPA's high hazard team continues to provide assessments on target cylinders in the field and staging area as necessary.
The three task forces cover three target
areas daily: Hidden Valley Lake, Cobb, and Middletown.
USCG Pacific Strike Team
members have been coordinating field activities in the ICP accordingly and providing site safety.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Major operations at The Valley Fire response began last week to include the high hazard team.
2.2.2 Potential Issues
The OSC may require heavy equipment such as cylinder coffins which may be hard to obtain.
Record high heat requires multiple breaks for hydration leading to slower clean-up efforts.
- EPA SMART arborist identified several trees (8) that need to be removed off two properties before work commences:
- 9480 Angelly St.
- 9541 Angelly St
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2.3 Logistics Section
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1. Possibility of adding additional START contractors to supplement the additional task forces.
2. Possibility of adding additional ERRS resources for extraction of the high hazards - heavy equipment
3. Obtaining a cylinder coffin.
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
USCG Pacific Strike Team (2)
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
Lake County Public Health (3)
2.5.3 Information Officer
2.5.4 Community Involvement Coordinator
The Community Involvement Coordinator (CIC) has worked closely with the County, CalRecycle, and CalOES to improve inter-agency communications and better serve the needs of the impacted community. Main issues in the community are focused on misinformation regarding debris cleanup procedures, insurance claims, looting, and fraud. A central concern is the legitimacy of the crews in the field, as property owners are wary of the several different agencies and contractors on site. To address this issue, EPA created a flier (“Who’s On My Property?”) in collaboration with the County, CalRecycle and CalOES. The flier explains the steps to the cleanup process and provides community members a way to match the agency logo to the crew on their property on the spot. The fliers have been widely distributed; each crew has a stack of them to give out and a laminated version to stay with the crew foreman, and there are poster-sized versions at all the grocery stores in Cobb, Middletown and Hidden Valley as well as at the casino and the Local Assistance Center. The flier was also distributed on the County OES Facebook page, Twitter page, and information website.
Local tribal officials and concerned property owners have been contacted to improve communication and stifle widespread misinformation. In coordination with CalRecycle and OES, a public meeting about debris cleanup occurred on Thursday, October 16th to address these concerns.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Cooperating Agencies
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United States EPA - Region XI
- United States Coast Guard - Pacific Strike Team
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- State of California (CalRecycle, CalOES, DFW OSPR)
- County of Lake
- EPA START
- EPA ERRS
- ARCADIS
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4. Personnel On Site
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Personnel
Matrix:
EPA IC -
Brett Moxley
Valley
Fire Personnel on Site
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EPA
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USCG
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START
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ERRS
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TOTAL
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EQM
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GLOBAL
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SW HAZARD
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AROTEK
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STERICYCLE
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10/9
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2
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3
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5
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18
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28
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10/12
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4
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5
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12
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22
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43
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10/13
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6
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5
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13
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8
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7
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4
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12
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5
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60
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10/14
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6
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5
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14
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8
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7
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4
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12
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5
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61
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10/15
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5
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5
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16
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8
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7
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4
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12
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5
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62
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10/16
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4
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5
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16
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8
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7
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4
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12
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5
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61
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10/19
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4
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5
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15
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8
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7
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4
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12
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5
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60
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10/20
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5
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4
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15
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8
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7
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4
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12
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5
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60
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10/21
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6
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4
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15
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8
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7
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4
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12
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5
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61
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10/22
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6
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4
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15
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8
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7
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4
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12
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5
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61
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VIP Visits:
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report:
For more information, refer to www.epaosc.org/ValleyFireResponse
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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Extended Forecast:
The Incident Action Plans (IAPs) will be posted www.epaosc.org/ValleyFireResponse in the document section for reference.
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