County of Sonoma Health Officer Issues Emergency Order for Re-entry after the Kincade Fire

The Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Celeste Philip has issued an Emergency Order regarding re-entry following the Kincade Fire. 

The burnt remains of building materials, such as siding, roofing tiles, and insulation results in dangerous ash that may contain asbestos, heavy metals, and other materials that are hazardous to health. Additionally, household hazardous waste, such as paint, gasoline, cleaning products, pesticides, compressed gas cylinders, and chemicals stored in homes, garages, or outbuildings that may have burned in the fire can also produce hazardous materials.

Being exposed to these hazardous substances can lead to acute and chronic health effects, and may cause long-term public health and environmental impacts. Specifically, these hazardous materials and debris pose significant threats to public health from inhaling dust particles and contaminated drinking water supplies. 

With these hazards in mind and in the interest of protecting health and safety, today Dr. Philip ordered the following for residents re-entering burn areas:

Property owners and the community should not enter the burn footprint of structures without Personal Protective Equipment, such as protective eyewear, gloves and long sleeves and pants, and closed-toe footwear, such as boots.

The order states that residents are not to clean their property and debris bins will not be provided until further notice.