Moving debris from Angora

JEFF DELONG
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 7/21/2007

By the numbers

254 homes destroyed by Angora Fire and require debris removal
205 property owners registered so far for debris removal program
89 home sites ready for debris removal
11 home sites currently having debris removed
7 home sites already cleared of all debris and certified under program
11 home sites cleared but awaiting sampling results for final certification

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE -- Crews toppled chimneys and scooped debris Friday while continuing a massive effort to help a community devastated by wildfire.

A week after work began, California and El Dorado County officials gathered near some lots already cleared of the wreckage of homes destroyed by the Angora Fire to celebrate progress and outline what's next. Across the street, heavy equipment tore through the ruins of other homes.

"My goodness, what a difference four weeks makes," county supervisor Norma Santiago said. "We will rebuild and we will recover."

The county and state agreed on a plan to quickly clear the wreckage of 254 homes destroyed by the fire, which was sparked June 24 by an illegal campfire. The wind-pushed blaze rocketed through the forested residential area, leveling entire blocks.

"June 24 obviously changed the lives of a lot of people," Santiago said, adding that officials have committed to allowing homeowners to rebuild as "quickly, efficiently and safely as possible."

The first step is to clean up what's left with the use of state-sanctioned contractors through a comprehensive debris-removal plan to clear jumbled concrete, melted vehicles and appliances, furniture, chemicals and wood waste. It's an accelerated strategy never before pursued in California or, possibly, in the country, said Todd Thalhamer, an environmental engineer with the state's Environmental Protection Agency.

"We're hoping maybe this will be the model for the nation," Thalhamer said. The goal, officials said, is to begin pouring concrete for the foundations for rebuilt homes no later than Sept. 1.

Six crews, each with four to six workers, are attacking the destruction with the use of six excavators and six loaders. About 40 trucks are hauling debris away.

The process begins by documenting ruined homes with photographs, continues with the removal of metal and other debris such as chimneys and finishes with excavation of the home's foundation. The process takes about a day and a half, after which the site is sampled to ensure all hazardous materials are removed and the ground is clean and safe for rebuilding.

"You name it, we find it," Thalhamer said of what workers discover in the wreckage.

Toxic heavy metals such as copper and zinc are a concern. Older homes have particularly high levels of lead because they were coated in lead paint. Workers wear protective suits, face masks and use air monitoring equipment.

"I can send them home at night knowing they are clean," Thalhamer said of precautions taken to protect workers.

Officials aim to process plans to rebuild homes as promptly as possible, said Larry Lohman, a deputy director for the county's Development Services Department.

"There is an awful lot of work to do in a short amount of time," Lohman said, adding that he expects area architects and designers to be overwhelmed as rebuilding begins.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board has committed more than $7 million to remove tons of scorched debris from the fire area. Rising from the biggest disaster to ever hit the Tahoe Basin may be difficult, but the situation looks encouraging, said Charles Wynne, regional administrator for the California Office of Emergency Services.

"I think this all bodes well for the total recovery of the community," Wynne said.

Lake Tahoe Boulevard resident Jan Ramos watered her plants on Friday. Homes burned down a few hundred yards from her residence. A scorch mark on her deck left from a flying ember tells the story of how close things got for her home.

"I think they've been moving along great," Ramos said of the debris removal.

Ramos said she feels very fortunate her home survived, but she added that full recovery of her community will be a difficult process.

"It's going to be awhile," she said.