Cleaning up the ash from our homes, yards, streets and businesses will keep LA’s neighborhoods and environment healthier, but it must be done safely.

It’s important to minimize the amount of ash and debris that enter’s LA’s waterways (e.g. streets, gutters, catch basins). Ash can easily be carried by rain, irrigation overspray, wash water, or wind into our local creeks, rivers and ocean. There, the ash can be detrimental to public and environmental health. The goal is to prevent ash and debris from entering our waterways and you can help by taking the simple steps below to clean up ash around your residence or business.

But first, protect yourself as you’re cleaning. Ash can be harmful to your health and the health of those around you, with the greatest risk coming from fine suspended particles that are usually too small to see. Ash deposited on surfaces both indoors and outdoors can be inhaled, if it becomes airborne when you clean up and may cause health issues. People with heart or lung disease, including asthma, older adults, children, and pregnant women should use special caution around ash. Avoid skin contact with ash by wearing gloves, long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Use a snug-fitting NIOSH N-95 or P-100 particulate respirator mask.

When it is determined that it is safe to cleanup ash, protect and remember these three C’s: CONTROL, CONTAIN and CAPTURE.

Control the Ash

  • Do NOT use leaf blowers to clean up ash – Leaf blowers re-suspend harmful fine particles into the air and create more health concerns.
  • Only use household vacuums or shop vacuums with HEPA filters – Standard household and shop vacuums re-suspend harmful fine particles and create more health concerns.
  • Children or pets should not be nearby while you clean up ash – Make sure to clean ash off children’s toys and climbing structures before use and clean ash off your pet’s dishes and toys.
  • Garden produce – Thoroughly ash any fruits or vegetables from trees or gardens where ash has fallen and wash your hands well before eating.

Contain the Ash

  • Mist surfaces lightly – Before sweeping indoor and outdoor hard surfaces, mist them very lightly with water to keep dust down. When you wet down ash, use as little water as you can.
  • Sweep gently – Sweep gently with a push broom into a pile, then lightly mist with water before scraping up the pile.
  • Mop with a damp cloth or hose lightly – After sweeping, mop with a damp cloth or hose lightly with water into a vegetated area. Take care to conserve water. Do not allow water to go down the driveway, down the street, or into storm drains. You may allow water to drain into landscaping as ash will not hurt plants or grass.
  • Dispose of ash in your black bin – Scrape ash into plastic bags, seal, and dispose of it in your black bin. If you suspect hazardous waste, including asbestos, is present, contact your local hazardous waste authorities regarding appropriate disposal.
  • Commercial cleaning – Commercial cleaning may be needed for carpets, upholstery, and window treatments, especially near high traffic entrances where ash may get tracked in.

Capture the Ash

Ash has a high pH and, in large amounts, can be harmful for people, pets, the environment, and aquatic life. It can also clog storm drains and pipes, which can cause flooding. To prevent this:

  • Avoid washing ash into storm drains – Divert water away from storm drains or try to filter the wash water with gravel bags, filter fabric, weighted wattles, etc., in front of storm drains. Scoop up captured ash and debris and dispose of appropriately, or vacuum with a wet/dry shop vac.
  • Redirect – If washing your roof, redirect downspouts to landscaped areas.
  • Consider a car wash – Take your car to a car wash or wash it over a vegetated area such as your lawn.

For additional information and resources for those impacted by the fires, please visit the City of Los Angeles’ Emergency Management Department’s page.

Thank you to our partners at the City of Santa Rosa, California who generously provided us with use these good housekeeping practices for the cleanup of ash.