After Rigorous Testing, Public Health Lifts Ocean Water Quality Advisory for Fire-Impacted Beaches

RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO BE ADVISED TO AVOID FIRE DEBRIS IN THE WATER, ON THE BEACH, AND ON OR NEAR

BURNED PROPERTIES

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is lifting the Ocean Water Advisory due to Fire Impacts from Las Flores State Beach (SMB 1-14) to Santa Monica State Beach (DPH 104 A&B). This decision comes after the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board released results and analysis for testing on ocean water on January 22nd, January 27th, February 6th, February 18^th , and March 13^th, and sediment/beach sand testing from February 25^th through February 27^th.

The ocean water and sediment/beach sand testing, which looked for metals, nutrients, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are chemicals that may be found in water runoff based on previous California wildfires, revealed no chemicals related to wildfires at levels that are dangerous to human health

Beachgoers may now enter the ocean water and recreate on the sand in these areas, but they are still advised to avoid fire debris in the water, and to avoid being on beaches on or near burned properties, as the fire debris may contain harmful substances and physical hazards such as glass, metal, and sharp wooden debris.

High tides may carry fire debris into the ocean, creating hazardous conditions. In areas along the coast—particularly near burned or destroyed properties on the inland side of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)—debris from recent fires has not yet been fully cleaned up. As the tides rise, this debris can be swept into the water, posing a danger to those in or near the ocean.

Residents are advised to continue following the Department of Public Health Ocean Water Advisories, which are non-fire related, and avoid entering the ocean water when ocean water quality exceeds State bacterial limits. Please visit the Department of Public Health’s Ocean Water Quality website to see current ocean water advisories.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24- hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800- 525-5662. To view map of impacted locations and for more information please visit: PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach/.

If you have any questions, please contact us at (626) 430-5360.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well -being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises of more than 5,000 employees and has an annual budget of $1.3 billion.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health works to protect health,
prevent disease, and promote health and well-being.

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