The public is being warned to stay out of the ocean in the Los Angeles area due to contamination from runoff from the fires raging along the coastline.
The water being used to quell the raging fire along Los Angeles’ coastline will be ultimately flushing into the ocean, sending toxic debris from destroyed homes and communities into the nearby ocean water in the days, and maybe weeks and months, to come, officials said.
While the long-term impact on ocean life and beach access is unknown, as an immediate action the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health put out an Ocean Water Advisory on Thursday, Jan. 9, out of an “abundance of caution.”
The area is one of the most popular stretches of beach in the world, with millions of visitors flocking to the coast each year. Malibu just east of the Pacific Palisades, where a fire is still raging, is one of the most revered surf breaks in the world – the first surf break to be named a National Register of Historic Places in 2018.
The public health department advises beach users to avoid all water contact, especially near discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers “due to potential debris from fires and contamination.” The advisory especially mentions from Surfrider Beach to Dockweiler State Beach at World Way.
Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill, officials said.
The advisory will stay in effect until three days after fire-fighting efforts end. The Department of Public Health will notify the public when it is safe to again reenter the water.
Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county’s beach closure hotline: 800- 525-5662 or go to publichealth.lacounty.gov.