Once known for its sun-soaked lifeguard towers, bronzed surfers, and bikini-clad volleyball players, Will Rogers State Beach now stands amidst the aftermath of devastation. The iconic beach, immortalized by the global cult classic “Baywatch,” finds itself encircled by the remnants of charred homes and palm trees. Its once bustling parking lot now serves as a staging area for the hazardous waste stemming from the recent wildfires. In a stark contrast, the usual beach scene has given way to teams of hazmat-clad Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) workers meticulously sorting through melted electric car batteries and other dangerous materials before hauling them off to designated landfills.
The Palisades and Eaton fires left behind a staggering 4.5 million tonnes of debris, dwarfing the aftermath of the 2023 Maui fires, which saw around 400,000 tonnes of debris, as reported by the US Army Corps of Engineers. While the EPA spent three months clearing up the Maui fires, the agency aims to conclude its cleanup efforts in LA within a month – by February 25th – following an executive order from President Donald Trump expediting the removal of contaminated and general debris.
The decision to conduct waste sorting activities along the coast has sparked public outcry and raised concerns over the safety of ocean waters for recreational activities like swimming and surfing. Environmental activists, including actor and environmentalist Bonnie Wright, have voiced their apprehensions about the proximity of hazardous waste sorting to the beach, questioning the environmental implications of such actions.
Despite challenges posed by the disposal of burned vehicle batteries, the EPA remains resolute in its mission, emphasizing the need for swift and efficient waste management procedures. The agency’s incident commander for the LA fires, Steve Calanog, likened the handling of damaged lithium-ion batteries to dealing with unexploded ordnance (UXO) due to the risk of reignition and explosions post-wildfire. With an urgency to prevent further environmental harm, the EPA’s response team has been swift in its actions, even amidst the ongoing fires.
As concerns mount regarding the potential contamination of air and water resources post-fire, the EPA faces mounting pressure to ensure thorough and timely cleanup operations. The experience garnered from previous fire responses, such as the Maui fires, serves as a valuable reference point in assessing safety measures for testing water and soil samples in the aftermath of such disasters.
Nearly 18 months have passed since the fires ravaged parts of the coast near Lahaina in Maui. While a small area remains closed to the public, cleanup efforts have made progress. The Army Corps of Engineers recently completed their final debris removal in Lahaina on February 20, following the EPA’s hazardous waste removal efforts.
Despite the challenges, most of Maui has stayed open to both locals and tourists. The Hawaii Department of Health declared the coastal waters around Lahaina safe for ocean activities eight months after the fires. However, the aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles fires presents an unprecedented cleanup task, marking the largest in US history.
Following the fires in January, LA County shut down beaches along a nine-mile stretch. Subsequent heavy rains triggered mudslides in the burn area, leading to runoff of toxic substances into the ocean and necessitating additional closures. While many beaches have since reopened, a water advisory remains in effect from Santa Monica to Malibu, cautioning beachgoers to steer clear of fire debris and avoid ocean water until further notice.
Access to the beaches in the affected region remains challenging, with limited parking and ongoing cleanup efforts congesting the Pacific Coast Highway. Despite the obstacles, some die-hard surfers continue to brave the conditions in pursuit of the perfect wave.
During a visit to an EPA sorting site, Annelisa Moe witnessed surfers at Topanga Beach amidst cleanup activities. The water appeared murky and contaminated, contrasting with the sunny weather, creating a surreal scene of destruction and natural beauty coexisting.
Water quality tests conducted by the Los Angeles regional water quality control board showed promising results, but cautionary advisories remain in place. Various organizations, including Heal the Bay and the Surfrider Foundation, are diligently monitoring water and soil samples for harmful substances, although comprehensive toxic analysis takes time.
The Surfrider Foundation, known for year-round ocean water testing, has shifted its focus to collaborating with other organizations for more extensive analysis post-fire. Concerns about safety and when it will be safe to return to the ocean persist among community members and advocates.
Chad White, a surfer from the Palisades, shares the sentiment of many ocean enthusiasts, yearning for the day when they can safely enjoy the waves again.
As the sun sets along the Pacific Coast Highway, a once vibrant stretch of California’s iconic coastline now stands as a haunting reminder of the devastation wrought by recent disasters. Surfers, who once reveled in the thrill of riding the waves, now find themselves grappling with the harsh reality of a landscape forever altered.
One such surfer, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared his profound sense of loss as he gazed out at the sea. He expressed that returning to the surf now would only serve as a painful reminder of what once was – a stark contrast to the familiar scenes of crashing waves and sandy shores.
“It’s taken my desire to surf down to zero,” he lamented, his voice tinged with a mix of resignation and sorrow. The once pristine waters now harbor an unsettling amount of debris, a stark contrast to the memories of carefree days spent on the beach.
Sitting over a cup of coffee in the tranquil setting of Topanga Canyon, the surfer recounted his first wave at Will Rogers State Beach in 1977, a memory now clouded by the stark reality of the present. He spoke of teaching his son to surf at a tender age of four, passing down a cherished tradition that now feels like a distant echo of happier times. Even his wife, whom he introduced to the joys of surfing at the age of 60, now shares in his sense of loss.
The destruction along the coast, he explained, has left him reeling. “It’s earth-shattering to someone like me,” he admitted, his gaze distant as he recalled the once vibrant community that thrived along the shoreline. “That beach means something to me too, and I’m just one person among many who have been touched by this tragedy.”
His circle of friends, many of whom lost their homes in the wake of the disasters, now grapple with their own trauma as they confront the stark realities of their surroundings. The once picturesque landscape, dotted with elegant homes and swaying palm trees, now lies in ruin, a shadow of its former self.
“Every movie, every postcard image of California, it’s all based on what we’ve lost,” he mused, his words heavy with a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. The allure of the Pacific Coast Highway, with its majestic views and luxurious homes, now replaced by a desolate wasteland that serves as a grim testament to the destructive power of nature.
As he surveyed the scene before him, a poignant reminder of the fragility of human existence, the surfer reflected on the collective grief of those who once called this place home. “Now it’s a toxic waste dump,” he concluded, his voice filled with a mixture of resignation and defiance in the face of overwhelming loss.
In the aftermath of the disasters that have reshaped the landscape, the resilience of the human spirit shines through in the stories of those who refuse to be defined by tragedy. As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow
