SPOKANE, WASH. — The Environmental Protection Agency has made significant progress in helping Spokane-area fire victims reclaim their properties, clearing hazardous materials from nearly 85% of the burned homes in the region.
The EPA has completed hazardous materials removal from 700 of 827 properties affected by the fire, according to agency officials. The work began less than a month ago, putting crews well ahead of their 60-day deadline set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The cleanup effort focuses on removing household hazardous materials that pose environmental and health risks in burned structures. “Things like cleaners, or pesticides, paints, solvents, lithium ion batteries, pool chemicals, even a regular car battery,” said Emma Pokon and Brooks Stanfield of the EPA, describing the types of materials being removed from properties.
Crews are transporting all collected materials to a processing facility in Colbert, where items are sorted and prepared for transport to appropriate disposal facilities. The centralized collection point streamlines the removal process and ensures materials are handled according to environmental regulations.
However, property owners should understand that hazardous materials removal represents only the first step in the recovery process. Even after the EPA places a sign on a property indicating hazardous materials have been cleared, residents must exercise caution when returning to their land.
“People will still have to get an asbestos assessment for their property once the hazardous materials are cleared,” according to information provided during the broadcast. Following the asbestos assessment, property owners can then apply for permits required for demolition and rebuilding.
The City of Spokane is reviewing a second permit for rebuilding, signaling that some property owners are moving forward with reconstruction plans. Residents with questions about the asbestos assessment process can contact the Regional Health District and the Clean Air Agency for guidance.
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