On Saturday, February 1, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lithium Battery Response Task Force worked in Pacific Palisades, removing lithium batteries from electric vehicles destroyed in the deadly Palisades Fire. This effort is part of a larger hazardous material cleanup to protect public safety and the environment. Following the Southern California wildfires, President Biden declared a federal disaster on January 8, 2025, unlocking federal aid for cleanup. On January 14, FEMA assigned the EPA to assess and remove hazardous materials. Later, on January 24, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing the EPA to expedite hazardous material cleanup in Los Angeles. This cleanup, known as Phase 1 of the federal response, is provided at no cost to residents.
The EPA is handling and safely disposing of hazardous materials from burned properties. These materials, including paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, herbicides, pesticides, and propane tanks, are transported to licensed disposal sites. Pressurized fuel cylinders are either removed or defueled, with empty tanks marked for Phase 2 debris removal. A major part of this effort includes extracting lithium-ion and high-voltage batteries from electric and hybrid vehicles and home backup power systems. Crews ensure safe transport and recycling under strict environmental standards. Once hazardous materials are cleared, an EPA completion sign is placed on-site. Residents are urged to follow recovery guidelines as cleanup continues.
The Palisades Fire erupted on January 7, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, spreading rapidly due to Santa Ana winds and prolonged drought. It burned over 23,000 acres, destroyed more than 12,000 structures, and displaced 150,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the San Fernando Valley. The fire claimed at least five lives and left many injured. Efforts to contain the fire were hampered by strong winds that grounded aerial firefighting support, allowing flames to spread unchecked. Recent rainfall has helped extinguish the fire but also raised risks of mudslides and debris flow. By January 27, evacuation orders were lifted, marking the beginning of recovery efforts, including debris removal, utility restoration, and hazard mitigation. The EPA's continued cleanup operations remain crucial to ensuring safe and effective rebuilding in affected communities.
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๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ผ ๐ถ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ฒ๐น๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐ฒ. ๐๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด, ๐ฟ๐ฒ-๐๐ฝ๐น๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด, ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ป๐ฎ๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐น๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ต๐ถ๐ฏ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ.
ยฉ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐๐ธ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐/๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฎ ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ ๐๐น๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฝ. ๐๐น๐น ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ.
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Fabian Lewkowicz, an award-winning accredited photojournalist and press photographer based in Santa Monica, is renowned for his captivating imagery and storytelling. As the creator of Santa Monica Closeup, he draws on years of experience with local media outlets like the Santa Monica Daily Press and The Corsair to capture iconic moments in the city's history.
Santa Monica Closeup is a visual chronicle of the vibrant and diverse community of Santa Monica, brought to life through Fabian's seasoned lens. With deep roots in the city, he offers an authentic and intimate glimpse into everyday life, crafting compelling videos that resonate with both locals and visitors alike.
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TAGS: Photojournalism, Photojournalist, Documentary, Cinema Verite, Fly-on-the-wall, Observational Photography, Press Photography, SMCU, SMยฉU