Environmental Health Division ADVISORY NOTICE

November 16, 2025

Debris and Ash from Residential Fire may be Hazardous

Ash and debris from burned buildings and homes can contain toxic substances due to the presence of synthetic and hazardous materials. Older buildings often contain asbestos and lead. Household hazardous waste such as gasoline, cleaning products, pesticides, and other chemicals may have been stored in homes, garages, or sheds that may have burned in the fire. These materials can become concentrated in ash and soil following a fire. It is important not to expose yourself, your family or others to any of these materials. Exposures can occur by sifting through ash and debris, causing ash to become airborne and inhaled or ingested.

Mono County is working to secure additional resources and funding from State agencies that will ensure proper handling and disposal of debris and ash from the fire. In the meantime, property owners are strongly recommended to not begin cleanup activities in order to protect their health and the health of their neighbors. State agencies will assess sites for removal of household hazardous waste, asbestos and other hazardous materials.

IMPORTANT: Do not remove burned debris from your property. Information regarding potential state debris removal project is forthcoming. Removal of debris from your property prior to commencement of state removal project could make you ineligible to participate.

Because ash and debris generated in the fire may be considered hazardous waste, local landfills and transfer stations are currently not permitted to accept this waste. This restriction is in place to protect the health of anyone who may come into contact with the waste, including solid waste facility employees, solid waste haulers, and the public.

For homes that are served by private wells, the well should be disinfected and samples analyzed before it is used for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth. Environmental Health can provide guidance on the disinfection process and can collect and submit samples for analysis free of charge. Please contact Environmental Health for more information at 760-924-1830.

Mono County will post more information as it becomes available on the following website: https://ready.mono.ca.gov/pages/2025-pack-fire