Giving Thanks
November 28, 2022 – Mariposa, CA - By Fire Case Manager Jim Evans, Alliance for Community Transformations - The Debris Removal Program is perhaps the most important tool to aid in the recovery process for victims of a wildfire disaster such as the recent Oak Fire. If the owners of the 200 impacted properties had to do this on their own, it would take many years for them to return to their properties. Debris removal is mandated and the Debris Removal Program accomplishes this within a few months.
Debris removal consists of two phases. In Phase 1, state and local officials go to each impacted property to remove items that could pose a threat or imperil the safety of humans, animals, or the environment. These items include batteries, propane tanks, pesticides, herbicides, and most importantly, asbestos. Phase 2 is the removal of all remaining debris. Debris does not go into the Mariposa County landfill, but to recycling facilities and landfills in the Central Valley. Once the debris has been removed, the soil is tested to ensure safety and erosion control measures are placed on the site. Then, impacted owners can safely return to their properties.
Mariposa County Environmental Health oversees the Debris Removal Program. Mariposa County retained Tetra Tech to provide assessment, abatement, and planning for debris removal. The County then selected the BOP Joint Venture to do the actual debris removal at a cost of around 8 million dollars. Debris removal is funded by the federal government (50%), state government (25%), and county government (25%). Amazingly, this service is delivered at no cost to the impacted property owners. If homeowners have debris removal specified in their homeowner’s insurance (a rarity in wildfire prone areas these days), Tetra Tech will contact the insurance company for applicable compensation.
Alliance Fire Case Managers were impressed by the extent of customer service provided by the Tetra Tech and BOP crews. They were more than willing to meet owners at their properties to discuss any concerns and assist people who wanted to keep items that would otherwise be removed. A forester on their team met with anyone concerned about tree removal. Complaints were addressed.
We want to highlight two particular stories that show the great care and compassion the debris removal team provided to fire survivors.
At one property, the debris removal crew got to know the survivor and learned this person was a veteran. Once they completed the debris removal, the crew lined the site with American flags to honor the survivor’s service and show their respect. The survivor was extremely touched by this kindness.
The debris removal process is not always linear. It doesn’t always work to go from Phase I to Phase II due to many complications. A site may have some Phase I conducted, then Phase II occurs, but then they have to go back to Phase I. At one site, Phase I couldn’t be completed until Phase II was done and the property was cleared. In order to ensure a timely process for this survivor, a four-person crew worked all day to prepare the site for Phase II, which then allowed Phase I to occur.
It will be safe for survivors to return to over 130 properties by December 15, 2022. How long would it take for impacted owners to return if they had to manage this effort by themselves? Definitely longer than 3 months!
On this day of thanks, the Fire Case Managers from the Alliance for Community Transformations would like to wholeheartedly recognize the hard work of the many people who have supported fire survivors in a great number of ways. Tetra Tech and the companies under them doing the work of debris removal have been extremely supportive. They have really listened to the concerns of property owners and worked to find solutions. Clearing the fire-impacted properties is not just a job for them; they understand the tragedy of loss for each person and find ways to make this process a little easier for them. For that, we couldn’t be more thankful.
Funding for Oak Fire recovery efforts is still needed for items such as repairing wells, electricity, and septic so that survivors can start to rebuild their homes. If you would like to donate, you can do so through the Alliance for Community Transformations at www.givebutter.com/Oakfire or by mailing checks made out to the Alliance for Community Transformations, PO Box 2075, Mariposa, CA 95338. The Alliance is 501(c)3 organization and your donations are tax deductible.
Source: Alliance for Community Transformations
Oak Fire in Mariposa County from the PG&E Mount Bullion Live Camera on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 12:35 P.M.
