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Showing posts with label Topanga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Topanga. Show all posts


A mobile survey was conducted by South Coast AQMD in the Palisades Fire area near cleanup and re-populated zones on February 10th. Overall air toxic metals and VOCs are within background levels and national standards and state health thresholds.

Results show no elevated levels of:

Air toxic metals including lead and arsenic
VOCs including benzene (Figure 7)

On January 31, 2025, South Coast AQMD began air monitoring efforts in the burn scars and surrounding communities of the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire. Debris removal could cause hazardous dust and ash to become airborne. This initiative, supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and, in close coordination with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), will assess air quality during debris removal or other activities. South Coast AQMD’s monitoring efforts will occur in two key stages.

Stage One: Mobile Monitoring of Air Toxics: Four mobile monitoring surveys will be conducted. Two in the Eaton Fire area and two in the Palisades Fire area. Mobile monitors provide instantaneous measurements for air toxic metals and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and will be used to identify potential areas of elevated pollutants near the Eaton and Palisades Fire areas. Results of the mobile monitoring will help identify locations for temporary air monitoring stations.

Stage Two: Stationary Air Monitoring: Placement of air monitoring stations will be determined based on mobile monitoring results, cleanup activity, sensitive receptors (such as residents and schools) and meteorological conditions. These stations will include air monitors that will provide data for particulate matter (PM), lead, arsenic, and asbestos in communities near the burn zones. South Coast AQMD is planning to conduct this initial stationary air monitoring for one month.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


Rainstorms this week caused large mudslides on Topanga Canyon Blvd. (State Route 27) in the Palisades fire burn scar. ⛰️🌊



The route will remain closed south of Grand View Dr. until crews can clear debris and mitigate potential hazards, such as falling rocks and road damage.



For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


Pacific Coast Highway between Chautauqua Boulevard and Carbon Beach Terrace is FULLY CLOSED and will remain until further notice due to heavy flooding and mudslides. Only Emergency Responders may access PCH until further notice due to a HARD CLOSURE of the route.



For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


Temporary Relocation Will Safeguard the Last Santa Monica Mountains Population from Post-fire Storm Impacts


As part of statewide efforts to help Californians and wildlife recover from the Southern California fires, on Jan. 23 the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and its partners rescued 271 endangered Southern California steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from Topanga Creek, the last known population of this species in the Santa Monica Mountains.

These fish survived in the chilly waters of Topanga Creek as the Palisades Fire swept through Topanga Canyon, but rain brought the threat of localized extinction. Storm events in late January and future storms falling over the burn scar can carry ash, sediment and debris into the creek that would suffocate and wipe out the population. Fisheries biologists estimate the remaining population to be as few as 400 - 500 trout.

“The fires in Southern California have been incredibly devastating,” said CDFW Chief Deputy Director Valerie Termini. “CDFW stands with the victims who have lost their homes, and we’re here to help everyone recover. Part of that effort is to bring back habitats and wildlife. Our role is going to be for the long term — helping people and wildlife recover.

“People in California want to live where biodiversity is thriving,” added Termini. “It's important for California, and it’s important for our wildlife.”

With the help of teams from the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, California Conservation Corps, Watershed Stewards Program, Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board, and California State Parks, CDFW staff set out Jan. 23 to ensure the steelhead survive. Equipped with backpack electrofishers, nets and buckets, the trout were captured from the creek and relocated to CDFW’s nearby Fillmore Fish Hatchery to prevent a likely mortality event during the rains. There, they will be held in a specially designated area of the hatchery that is set aside for the conservation of imperiled fish until it is safe to be returned to their home waters or another suitable creek in the area. Most of the netted fish were no bigger than 12 inches in length.



“Southern California steelhead are critically endangered within the Santa Monica Mountains,” said CDFW Environmental Program Manager Kyle Evans. “Topanga Creek is their only remaining population, when historically trout were found in streams across the Los Angeles area.

“These fish are incredible. They are adapted to drier summers and warmer water temperatures; they have a really complex life where they can either stay in the creek their whole life or go to the ocean and come back,” added Evans. “They're a very adaptable, important, iconic species whose success represents a healthy watershed, and healthy watersheds mean better water quality for us all. Protecting this population and their home habitats isn’t just good for the trout, it benefits the Californians of this community and beyond.”

In addition to this one-day operation to rescue the population of critically endangered fish, CDFW is working alongside California’s resource agencies to support state fire response and recovery efforts following the Southern California fires. CDFW staff are working to rescue and relocate animals impacted or displaced by the fires and are supporting and monitoring intake of injured wildlife to licensed wildlife rehabilitators.

As climate disruption continues to impact California residents, CDFW is working to help California be more resilient. Since 2021, CDFW’s Wildfire Resiliency Initiative has increased the pace and scale of vegetation management activities on its 1.1 million acres of state lands. Fire fuels reduction has been implemented on more than 100,000 acres annually across 90 high fire-risk lands statewide, providing protection to disadvantaged communities and adjacent natural lands.

Advances in veterinary medical science have come as a result of CDFW’s work in collaboration with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine — the application of fish skin to treat animal burn victims, first used in North America on bears and a mountain lion injured in a 2017 wildfire and today on animal burn patients around the world.

CDFW’s work in wildlife science has helped save rare populations of animals during fires, floods and drought. In 2020, mountain yellow-legged frog tadpoles were pulled out of the blackened landscape of a 116,000-acre wildfire, where most breeding pools were destroyed by charred rubble. CDFW supported efforts to help riparian brush rabbits to higher ground during 2023 flooding events. Salmon spawning and rearing habitats have been restored in drought-impacted creeks and streams across California.

These advances not only support the species themselves, but the Californians living near and benefitting from healthy, biodiverse habitats.

Images & text via California Department of Parks and Recreation

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


The EPA will using the Parking lot at Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades as a hazardous waste processing site. Concerned citizens took action, organizing a protest on Sunday, February 9, 2025 to demand that the site be relocated to a safer, more controlled environment.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


On Saturday morning, a slide occurred on Topanga Canyon Blvd, north of the closure at Grand View Drive, bringing down a small boulder onto the roadway.



For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a toxic waste sorting site at Will Rogers Beach, sparking outrage among residents, environmentalists, and local businesses. The site will be used to process wildfire debris containing asbestos, heavy metals, dioxins, and other hazardous pollutants—all just steps from the Pacific Ocean.

Malibu Said No—Why Can’t We?

Concerned citizens are taking action, organizing a protest on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM to demand that the site be relocated to a safer, more controlled environment. Protesters will meet at 810 Pacific Coast Highway (Beach Parking Lot 8N, next to the Jonathan Club) and march to Will Rogers Parking Lot to voice their opposition.

We demand the EPA make choices in the best interest of public safety and environmental protection. We can’t afford to risk additional calamity and impact more of this great city.

📅 Sunday, February 9, 2025

⏰ 10:00 AM

MEET AT 810 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, or BEACH PARKING LOT 8N, next to the Jonathan Club. We will march to Will Rogers Parking lot.

For more info, Click Here.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a toxic waste sorting site at Will Rogers Beach, sparking outrage among residents, environmentalists, and local businesses. The site will be used to process wildfire debris containing asbestos, heavy metals, dioxins, and other hazardous pollutants—all just steps from the Pacific Ocean.

Toxic contaminants from the wildfire debris could leach into the soil and waterways. Onshore winds will carry hazardous particulates, compromising the air quality where people live, work, and play. The risk to our ocean’s health is just as alarming.

To read more and to sign the petition, Click Here.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


State Route 27 remains FULLY CLOSED between PCH and Grand View Drive in Topanga until further notice. Recent storm brought more mud and debris onto the road.

For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


Pacific Coast Highwaywill remain FULLY CLOSED in both directions between Chautauqua Blvd. & Carbon Beach Terrace until further notice for safety in case of more slides & to allow Caltrans & L.A. County crews to remove debris, mitigate slope slippage & clear debris basins.



For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


Starting Saturday, Feb. 8 the Red Cross will be distributing personal protective equipment and water from the 3N Beach Parking Lot to support those cleaning up in the fire zone or for those affected by the LADWP Do Not Drink Notice.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


Touring the damage to Topanga Beach from the Palisades Fire.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


Avoid Water Contact from Surfrider Beach to Dockweiler Beach at World Way

February 05, 2025

Due to current rainfall, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health advises beach users to avoid all water contact, especially near discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers due to potentially higher bacteria levels in these areas. This includes any runoff that may flow onto or pond on the beach sand.

Ocean and bay recreational waters, especially near discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers can be contaminated with bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas after a rainfall. Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill. Rain advisories remain in effect for 72 hours after the rainfall ends.

The ocean water quality rain advisory will be in effect until 10:00 am, Saturday, February 8, 2025.

This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.

OCEAN WATER CLOSURE AND ADVISORY DUE TO FIRE IMPACTS REMAIN:

The ocean water closure from Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach remains in effect until further notice.

Once the rain advisory is lifted, the ocean water advisory from Surfrider Beach to Las Flores State Beach and from Santa Monica State Beach to Dockweiler State Beach at World Way will remain until further notice.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


The environmentally sensitive Topanga Beach area is now a toxic waste processing site. The EPA has made it a sorting, repacking, and staging area for hazardous waste and debris from the Palisades Fire clean up. This is scheduled to go on for 3 months. Hazardous materials collected and packaged from properties will be brought into the staging area daily. Once there, materials will be:
• separated into waste streams,
• packaged for safe shipment and
• transported from the property for safe disposal.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


Pacific Coast Highway will be closed between Chautauqua Blvd in Los Angeles and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu, tomorrow Feb. 4 at 3 p.m. due to risk of mud & debris flows from upcoming storms.



For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


It was announce late Saturday night that Pacific Coast Highway reopening will be postponed for 1 day, now reopening on Monday.



Starting Monday, LAPD will transfer responsibility for Palisades access to CHP and the National Guard, allowing LAPD to increase its service citywide while also keeping the Palisades secure.

“The Los Angeles Police Department remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure the burn area remains safe,” said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. “We appreciate their support as we continue to service the needs of all Angelenos.”

One lane will be closed in each direction between Temescal Canyon Rd in LA & Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu. Speed limit will be reduced to 25 MPH & all signals will be on flashing red.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


PCH will be reopening in the #PalisadesFire area on Feb. 2 at 8 a.m.

One lane will be closed in each direction between Temescal Canyon Rd in LA & Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu. Speed limit will be reduced to 25 MPH & all signals will be on flashing red.



For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


The City of Malibu has released a statement about the EPA using the area where the Topangas Ranch Motel was as a Toxic Waste Station. This contradicts what a few of the local politcians have been saying about it. It will be a toxic waste sorting and packing site. NOT a just a "storage and staging" site.

Here is the City of Malibu's updated statement:

Update with factual information addressing concerns about US EPA's Palisades Fire hazardous materials temporary staging area at Topanga & PCH and assurances by EPA about measures to ensure the safety of the environment & the community.

1/31/2025 - UPDATE FROM CITY OF MALIBU ADDRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT THE EPA'S PALISADES FIRE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEMPORARY STAGING AREA AT TOPANGA AND PCH

The City is aware of community concerns we’ve heard about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s fire cleanup efforts and the use of the former Topanga Motel site on Pacific Coast Highway as a staging area. We know that this is an emotional time for our community, and want to provide clear, factual information about what is happening and what this means for Malibu.

The EPA is currently conducting Phase 1, hazardous materials cleanup following the Palisades Fire. This is an important first step in helping residents return home safely and quickly while protecting the environment, including our streams and oceans. During this Phase 1, EPA teams are going into the burn footprint and carefully removing hazardous household waste — things like propane tanks, paints, batteries, and household chemicals that need to be properly handled. The Topanga site is only for the first Phase materials — burn debris removal in Phase 2 will bypass this site entirely and go straight to disposal.

Because of the size of the impacted area, the White House has directed the EPA to complete this work in 30 days — something that would normally take six months to a year. To make that possible, the EPA has deployed over 1,000 personnel and 60 teams to get the job done quickly and safely.

The Topanga site is a staging site, not a disposal or storage site. Teams are temporarily bringing collected materials to the Topanga site, sorting and repacking them safely, and then promptly transporting them out of the area for final disposal. All of this activity is following strict federal guidelines.

This Topanga property is outside the Malibu City limits and is owned by California State Parks and has been authorized for use by the State. That decision was made without consultation with Malibu or advance notice. We understand this site was chosen because it is within the burn area and has the space needed to safely manage operations.

We understand the concerns about the potential for environmental contamination, we want to assure the community that the EPA has reaffirmed that it has strict safety measures in place.

The EPA has confirmed to the City of Malibu that:

1. The area is highly secured, fenced off, and only accessible to EPA personnel.

2. The staging area is lined with plastic, with spill control measures in place, including wattles, berms, and booms — to prevent anything from leaving the site.

3. Continuous air monitoring is happening around the perimeter, and a water truck will suppress dust multiple times a day to reduce visible emissions.

4. The EPA pre-tested the soil before use and will test it again after they leave to ensure there is no contamination left behind.

Additionally, the City has made it clear that no additional staging or sorting sites will be located within Malibu city limits.

The City is providing a muster site near City Hall, but this is only for EPA staff to meet, receive briefings, and conclude their day — no materials or equipment will be stored there.

We understand this is a challenging time, and we appreciate your patience as this process unfolds. The City will continue to advocate for Malibu’s residents, ensure transparency, and share accurate information. First and foremost, we are focused on protecting our environment from the household hazardous and burn materials that are the result of the Palisades Fire, and their environmentally safe removal and transport.

The City encourages you members to stay informed and engaged — we will continue to update the community as we learn more. Thank you.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:

January 30, 2025

Ocean Water Closure and Advisory in Fire Impacted Areas Remain - All Other LA County Ocean Waters Advisories Lifted 01/30/2025

Due to the increase in fire debris along these ocean waters, the Ocean Water Closure for Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach remains in place, as fire debris runoff and pollutants in the water may contain toxic or carcinogenic chemicals. Beach users should avoid water and stay away from fire debris or heavy ash on the sand.

Exact locations of the closure can be viewed on the interactive map below.

The ocean water advisory for Surfrider Beach to Las Flores State Beach and Santa Monica State Beach to Dockweiler State Beach at World Way remains in effect due to fire debris runoff, which may also flow onto or pond on the beach sand. Beach users are also advised to stay away from any fire debris on the beach.

The closure and advisory due to fire related impacts will remain in effect until further notice.

The rain advisory for all other LA County ocean waters has been lifted.

Maintenance crews from the Department of Beaches and Harbors are removing and disposing of the large pieces of charred debris that wash up onto the sand. Additionally, DBH is working with its partners to address ongoing concerns about fire-related runoff from winter storms.

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.


For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.


Avoid Water Contact from Surfrider Beach to Dockweiler Beach at World Way

January 27, 2025

Due to recent rainfall and the increase in fire debris along these ocean waters, an Ocean Water Closure has been declared for Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach. Fire debris runoff and pollutants in the water and on the sand may contain toxic or carcinogenic chemicals.

The closure will remain in effect until further notice. Beach users are cautioned to avoid water and sand contact.

Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory – through Thursday, January 30, 2025

The Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory declared on January 26, 2025, will remain in effect at least until 8:00 am, Thursday, January 30, 2025, for all other Los Angeles County beaches. Beach users are cautioned to avoid water contact for at least 72 hours after significant rainfall. This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.

Ocean Water Quality Advisory Due to Fire Debris Updated Locations – Extends beyond January 30, 2025

Once the rain advisory is lifted, the ocean water advisory for Surfrider Beach to Las Flores State Beach and Santa Monica State Beach to Dockweiler State Beach at World Way will remain in effect due to fire debris runoff, which may contain toxic or carcinogenic chemicals, which can be harmful to health. This includes any runoff that may flow onto or pond on the beach sand. Beach users are advised to stay away from any fire debris on the beach.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.