From Baywatch to toxic waste - LA's iconic beaches unrecognisable after fires

In Los Angeles, California, a well-known beach called Will Rogers State Beach has undergone a dramatic transformation following devastating wildfires. This beach was once famous for its sunny skies, lifeguard towers, and people enjoying volleyball in their swimsuits, largely thanks to its portrayal in the iconic television series 'Baywatch'. However, the recent fires have left the beach surrounded by the remnants of burnt homes and palm trees, with its parking lot now serving as a site for the cleanup of hazardous waste. Instead of the usual beachgoers, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) crews in hazmat suits are now sifting through the debris, searching for dangerous materials such as melted electric car batteries. The wildfires that swept through the area produced an astonishing amount of debris, estimated at around 4. 5 million tonnes. To put this into perspective, the catastrophic fires in Maui earlier this year resulted in approximately 400,000 tonnes of debris. The EPA is working diligently to complete the cleanup in Los Angeles by February 25, following an executive order from President Donald Trump that urged the agency to expedite the removal of contaminated materials. As the cleanup progresses at an unprecedented pace, many residents and environmental advocates are expressing concerns about when it will be safe to return to the ocean for swimming and surfing. Protests have emerged in response to the EPA's handling of the cleanup, with many questioning the safety of the ocean water. Bonnie Wright, an actress and environmentalist known for her role in the Harry Potter films, has voiced her concerns about the cleanup efforts. She stated, 'In this very vulnerable place, they're sorting this very hazardous, hazardous stuff. ' Bonnie believes that moving the hazardous waste closer to the beach is a step in the wrong direction. Although her efforts to relocate the sorting site further from the coast were unsuccessful, she and other activists managed to persuade the EPA to move the burned electric vehicle batteries to a different location away from the sensitive Topanga Creek watershed. The EPA has acknowledged that dealing with the burned batteries presents a significant challenge, but they are confident in their ability to manage the situation. The agency requires ample space for sorting the waste, which is why the beach area is more suitable than the narrow, winding roads in the mountainous regions. The lithium-ion batteries can be particularly dangerous, as they have the potential to reignite or explode even after the fires have been extinguished. Steve Calanog, the EPA's incident commander for the Los Angeles fires, emphasized the urgency of the cleanup, stating, 'We have to treat them like unexploded ordinance. ' He explained that the agency began sorting the waste even while the fires were still burning, as any delays could increase the risk of further contamination of the ocean. Many residents are concerned about the potential presence of heavy metals and chemicals in the air and water following the fires. In Maui, it took nearly 18 months for some areas to reopen to the public after the fires, and the cleanup in Los Angeles is unprecedented in scale, making it the largest in US history. Following the fires, LA County closed beaches along a nine-mile stretch for several weeks. Heavy rainfall, while helping to extinguish any remaining embers, caused mudslides in the burn area and washed toxic ash and chemicals into the ocean, leading to additional beach closures. Although most beaches have since reopened, a water advisory remains in effect along the coast from Santa Monica to Malibu, warning beachgoers to avoid visible fire debris and to stay out of the ocean during any posted advisories. Only the most dedicated surfers have been able to access the beaches in the burn area, as parking is limited and the Pacific Coast Highway is congested with trucks and workers involved in the cleanup. Annelisa Moe, an environmental advocate, recounted seeing surfers in the water at a popular surf spot while workers were handling burned electric vehicle batteries across the street. She described the water as looking like 'chocolate milk' and noted the odd contrast of a beautiful beach day amidst the destruction. Jenny Newman, from the Los Angeles regional water quality control board, shared that initial water quality tests conducted in late January showed better results than expected. However, she cautioned that people should heed county advisories and avoid swimming near the burn site. Numerous scientists and volunteers from organizations like Heal The Bay are conducting tests on water and soil samples to assess the levels of harmful chemicals, but the analysis can take several weeks, and data is limited. The Surfrider Foundation, which regularly tests ocean water, is now collaborating with Heal The Bay and the University of Southern California to process their samples, as it is currently too dangerous for volunteers to work in the burn areas. 'All our community members are ocean lovers. We have the same questions they have,' said Eugenia Ermacora of the Surfrider Foundation. 'It's a concern, and everybody is asking, When can we go back? When is it safe? And I wish I had an answer. ' Chad White, a surfer who grew up in the Palisades and protested against the EPA's sorting site along the Pacific Coast Highway, expressed his reluctance to surf in the area now. He shared that it is painful to see the coast and remember what has been lost. 'It's taken my desire to surf down to zero, not just because of the water quality, but just because of what's happening,' he said. For Chad, the beach holds deep personal significance, as he has spent countless hours surfing there and teaching his family to enjoy the ocean. 'It's earth-shattering to someone like me,' he lamented. 'That beach means something to me too, and I'm one person. There are tens of, maybe hundreds or thousands of us that utilize the beach every day. ' Many of Chad's friends have lost their homes, and the community is grappling with the emotional toll of witnessing the destruction of their cherished coastline. 'Every movie that you see, every film that makes anybody from any other part of the world want to come to California is based on their seeing that Pacific Coast Highway and those beautiful homes in Malibu, across along the beach. They're all gone,' he reflected. 'Now it's a toxic waste dump.