Sierra Madre says water testing, containment and cleanup operations underway after Eaton Fire

City of Sierra Madre officials on Jan. 16 gave a multi-agency update on the response to the Eaton Fire, saying the state has ordered additional water testing in affected neighborhoods, the wildfire is largely contained, and county and federal agencies will coordinate debris cleanup and hazardous-materials removal.

The update centered on water safety for residences served by the city’s Zone 3, the area where firefighting operations drew large volumes from the distribution system. Steven McGee, the city water superintendent, said the state’s “do not drink, do not cook” advisory applies to Zone 3 and is extended to Grandview and residents north of Grandview. McGee said, “We never lost water pressure in our system, and we had no loss of any water infrastructure.” He said the state required additional testing for benzene, a volatile organic compound, after structures burned in the fire. McGee said the city is submitting a comprehensive testing plan to the State…