Just in time for the weekend’s mini heat wave, local public health authorities canceled seawater consultations on beaches in Malibu and Santa Monica areas affected by the Palisades fire in January.
Even if officials believe the water for recreation is safe, they are still warning explorers to avoid any fire-related debris encountered in the ocean.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced that a seawater consultation to Santa Monica State Beach was placed on Las Flores State Beach.
The decision was based on water testing and analysis conducted by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Commission on seawater and sand between the end of January and mid-March.
Officials said both regions have tested metals, nutrients, PCBs and PAHs, all based on all chemicals found in water runoff by previous California wildfires.
The results show that “no chemicals associated with wildfires are harmful to human health,” the press release said.
Beach travelers have green lights to jump into the water on these beaches and hang out on the beach. However, public health officials continue to warn people that fire debris found in water or on land should be avoided.
They also ask people to “avoid on burning properties or on nearby beaches, as fire debris can contain harmful substances and physical hazards, such as glass, metal and sharp wood debris.”
It is important to note that climax can bring fire debris into the ocean, causing dangerous conditions.
“In coastal areas, especially near properties burned or destroyed on the inland sides of the Pacific Coast Expressway (PCH) – the recent fires have not been completely cleared yet,” the new version says. “As the tide rises, these debris can sweep into the water, posing a danger to people in or near the ocean.”
To comply with current water consultations, including those related to non-fires, visit the Ministry of Public Health’s Seawater Quality website.
Record information about beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county’s beach closure hotline: (800) 525-5662. Maps of affected locations can also be obtained online.
