Title
Consider adoption of an urgency ordinance establishing regulations for the conduct of wildfire debris removal resulting from the 2020 Monterey County Fires in the unincorporated area. (ADDED VIA ADDENDA)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Consider adoption of an urgency ordinance establishing regulations for the conduct of wildfire debris removal resulting from the 2020 Monterey County Fires in the unincorporated area.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The wildfire events known as the River Fire which began on August 16, 2020, the Carmel Fire which began on August 18, 2020 and the Dolan Fire, which began on August 19, 2020, destroyed structures and threatened numerous residences and hundreds of acres of valuable wildland and watershed resulting in evacuation and displacement of residents, road closures, areas of isolation, damage to property and utility systems, damage to critical infrastructure and endangerment of species. On August 17, 2020, the Monterey County Administrative Officer (CAO) proclaimed the existence of a local emergency because of the River Fire, updating it on August 18, 2020 to include the Carmel Fire and subsequently updating and ratified it again on August 25, 2020 to include the Dolan Fire.
As of October 12, 2020, the River Fire burned over 48,000 acres, destroyed and damaged 43 homes, and is 100% contained, the Carmel Fire burned almost 6,700 acres, destroyed and damaged 80 homes, and is 100% contained, and the Dolan Fire burned over 124,924 acres, and is 98% contained. Due to the destruction of private buildings, the River, Carmel and Dolan Fires (collectively, the "Monterey County Fires") have created an accumulation of ash debris, much of which has been determined to be contaminated with heavy metals and asbestos. The potential for widespread toxic exposures and threats to public health and the environment exists in the aftermath of a major wildfire disaster. Debris and ash from residential structure...
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