Board adds emergency ordinance to speed removal of hazardous debris from airport fire sites

The Orange County Board of Supervisors added an emergency item and adopted an urgency ordinance on Oct. 8 to allow the county to coordinate with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to remove hazardous debris from private properties affected by the recent airport fire.

County counsel distributed a memorandum and an uncodified draft ordinance that, if adopted, would permit the county to request or perform hazardous debris removal and to engage with Cal OES on related clean‑up efforts. ‘‘This would allow the county to engage with the governor’s office of emergency services for the removal of hazardous debris from private property and would also give the county the option to work with Cal OES on the removal of other debris,’’ county counsel told the board.

Michelle Anderson, the county’s emergency manager, briefed the board on Cal OES’s two‑phase program: a phase focused on visible hazardous debris (including environmental testing of neighboring properties) and a phase involving asbestos and contaminated soil removal (including excavation of 3–6 inches of soil when necessary) and erosion control measures ahead of storm seasons.

Supervisor Chaffee noted the ordinance provides options for homeowners to conduct their own cleanups but explained the program also helps disadvantaged residents who cannot afford specialized disposal. Supervisors discussed FEMA reimbursement possibilities and moved to add the item to the agenda as an emergency; the board then adopted the ordinance by unanimous vote.

The ordinance is intended to allow faster remediation of hazards such as asbestos, lead and other contaminants after fire events and to reduce public‑health risks in advance of impending rains.

Next steps: staff will coordinate with Cal OES and affected property owners and return with contract‑execution details or any required follow‑up reports.