Santa Cruz County Begins Cleanup Of Fire Burn Scar

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Cleanup of hazardous waste resulting from the CZU August Lightning Complex fires begins this week in Santa Cruz County, as officials sound the alarm about the possibility of flooding and mudflows in the coming rainy season.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency crews will conduct cleanup of items such as batteries, oils, paints, cleaners, herbicides, pesticides for several weeks, the county said in a news release. EPA crews will be clearly identifiable in white protective gear and carry identification. Crews will not ask residents for special access or to solicit goods or services, the county said.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office will handle items such as weapons and ammunitions.

Services are performed at no cost to property owners, the county said. Residents should expect traffic delays in the area as crews continue their work.

The county is also warning the public about the possibility of debris flow, flooding and mudflows when rain starts up again.

The county was slated to screen a demonstration of how water, mud, rocks and trees can get caught up in debris flow in parts of the fire burn scar during Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting.

Watch it here: