Barricade Fire Gel Products

Advisories for safe ash cleanup

Dana Point Police Chief Mark Levy spent the last week helping coordinate the Orange County Sheriff's Department response efforts to the Santiago fire. While he was on the job, the fire blazed within 75 yards of his home in Majeska Canyon. "When the battalion chief turned to me and said it was time to call my wife, that's what I did," Levy said. "We really thought at one point in time, due to safety reasons, they were not going to be able to defend the location where my house is and I knew that." Fires are just a fact of life in the canyon, Levy said. "Fire awareness is sort of a way of life," he said. "It was inevitable that this area would burn." The Orange County Fire Authority, in conjunction with the communities of Majeska and Silverado Canyons, had developed an evacuation plan for the area in preparation for this type of an event. Levy protected his home with a fire retardant called Barricade, a product he said was owned by many of his neighbors as well. Although saddened for those lost their homes, Levy said he was impressed with the overall fire response. "Overall it really did work," he said. "They were valiant. Those fire fighters fought on and on and on. "It was certainly touch and go. I hope it's a once in a lifetime experience up there." OTHER FIRE NEWS Last week, some evacuees called Dana Point home, filling the resorts and camping out at Doheny State Beach. But this week, schools have reopened, evacuees have turned toward home and, as Levy said, "It's business as usual in Dana Point." Ash cleanup As a result of the wildfires some fire ash has fallen in our area. There are guidelines as to how one should go about cleaning up the ash. The California Environmental Protection Agency has issued the following recommendations to limit health implications while cleaning up fire ash: "Do not allow children to play in the ash and wash ash off children's toys before children play with them. "Clean ash off house pets. "Wear gloves, long sleeved shirts, and long pants; avoid skin contact. If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible. "If you have a vegetable garden or fruit trees, wash the fruit or vegetables thoroughly before eating them. "Avoid getting ash into the air as much as possible. Do not use leaf blowers or take other actions that will put ash into the air. Shop vacuums and other common vacuum cleaners do not filter out small particles, but rather blow such particles out the exhaust into the air where they can be breathed. The use of shop vacuums and other non-HEPA filter vacuums is not recommended. HEPA filter vacuums could be used, if available. "Well-fitting dust masks may provide some protection during cleanup. A mask rated N-95 or P-100 will be more effective than simpler dust or surgical masks in blocking particles from ash. In general, many ash particles are larger than those found in smoke; thus, wearing a dust mask can significantly reduce (but not completely eliminate) the amount of particles inhaled. "Persons with heart or lung disease should consult their physician before using a mask during post-fire cleanup. "Gentle sweeping of indoor and outdoor hard surfaces followed by wetmopping is the best procedure in most cases. A damp cloth or wet mop may be all that is needed on lightly dusted areas. "The Regional Water Control Quality Board has asked the public to avoid washing ash into storm drains whenever possible. If ash is wet down, use as little water as possible. "Collected ash may be disposed of in the regular trash. Ash may be stored in plastic bags or other containers that will prevent it from being disturbed. For additional information, contact the Public Services Department at www.calepa.ca.gov/Disaster/Fire2003/FireAsh.pdf .

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Guidelines from the California EPA
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