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Nearly six months after wildfire devastated Pacific Palisades, officials have lifted the final evacuation order. As of 15 June, all residents and visitors can now access the previously restricted areas, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Officials said they lifted the final order because cleanup teams have made the area safer. Lyndsey Lantz from the fire department said workers had removed dangerous materials from thousands of properties, including broken power lines, damaged batteries, and toxic debris left by the flames, as per L.A. Times.
Despite the clearance, health officials urge caution. Residents are advised to inspect homes for gas leaks, hidden embers, and structural damage. Engineers must declare buildings safe before reentry.
Vulnerable groups, like children, pregnant women, seniors, and individuals with lung or heart conditions, should avoid exposure to ash or dust. Experts recommend wearing N-95 masks and protective clothing when entering areas affected by fire.
Officials remain concerned about soil contamination. The federal government opted not to fund post-cleanup testing, even though journalists and county health workers detected lead and arsenic in samples from supposedly cleared areas.
Free lead testing is available through USC for residents in fire zones. Harvard and UCLA researchers are also tracking long-term health impacts and offering property assessments. Federal and state agencies are using air monitors to track pollution levels in fire-affected neighborhoods.
Environmental experts warn that runoff from burned land containing ash, heavy metals, and debris could continue polluting streams and coastal waters near Pacific Palisades. This threatens marine life and beach ecosystems long after the fire has been extinguished. This pollution can continue to cause problems for many years, so people need to continue working on solutions such as stopping erosion, cleaning up trash, and helping plants and animals recover.
As residents return to fire-affected areas, experts warn that recovery goes beyond structural repairs. Evacuation stress, exposure to smoke, and disruption of daily life can lead to mood swings, anxiety, and depression. According to Dr. Yu Yu of UCLA, mental health challenges often emerge weeks or months after a wildfire. They can persist long after physical rebuilding ends, especially among vulnerable groups like children and older adults.
Also Read:
1. What are the health risks from wildfire smoke?
2. California wildfire fueled by high winds forces Malibu evacuations
3. Evacuations ordered as Pacific Palisades fire continues to grow
