Do not go into the water. The Palisades fire burn area has the dubious distinction of earning some of the worst water quality ratings possible. The fire has transformed a huge expanse of the ocean into a toxic stew of ash, char, debris, bacteria and toxic chemicals, and the beaches that line the coast into health hazards.
Beaches from Las Flores to Santa Monica Beach remain officially closed, and water quality at neighboring beaches outside the closure area is also being affected. Some of the fire-related beach advisories have now been lifted, but warnings remain in place from Malibu’s Surfrider Beach to Dockweiler State Beach near LAX.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued an ocean advisory that warns residents to avoid any water contact at these beaches. The firestorms and efforts to beat them down have created massive amounts of runoff, which may contain toxic chemicals and dangerous debris. All that polluted water eventually sloughs off to the Bay.
The advisory was scheduled to remain in effect until three days after fire-fighting operations end, but with rain in the forecast, advisories and closures may continue to remain in effect.
Ash, char and debris isn’t limited to this stretch of coast. Fire fallout has been observed washing up as far away from the fire zone as El Segundo Beach in Los Angeles and the Ventura County Line.
Even when the advisories and closures are lifted, and the toxic materials have dispersed, beachgoers are advised to watch out for dangerous debris like shards of metal, nails, screws, and wire. Use caution, and make sure to check water quality before heading to the beach at Heal the Bay: beachreportcard.org, and/or the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov
