Eaton Fire Burn Area: Unmaintained Pools Pose Mosquito Breeding Risk

Post-Fire Mosquito Threat

• 🔥 Following the Eaton Fire, public health officials are concerned about a potential mosquito population boom in the Altadena area.
• ⚠️ Thousands of pools in the burn zone have been left unmaintained since the fire, creating numerous potential breeding sites.

Scale of the Problem

• 🦟 The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District has identified over 1200 non-functional pools in the burn area alone.
• 📈 If left untreated, these pools could lead to a significant increase in mosquito populations and a higher risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
• 💡 A single pool can produce up to 3 million mosquitoes in a month.

Disease Risks and Surveillance

• 🦠 Increased mosquito populations heighten the risk of diseases like West Nile Virus, which is endemic to the area.
• 🔍 Enhanced mosquito surveillance is underway to track populations and test samples for diseases, including West Nile Virus and potentially Zika or Chikungunya from invasive mosquitoes.

Vector Control Actions

• 🛠️ The Vector Control District has the authority to identify and treat high-risk areas, even without homeowner approval, under California Health and Safety Code.
• 💧 Crews are actively treating swimming pools with a long-lasting larvicide to target mosquito larvae before they become flying adults.
• 📍 Prioritization is given to pools adjacent to communities and those where property owners have requested service, due to limited resources.

Coordination and Resident Support

• 🤝 The Vector Control District is coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers, to manage the post-fire cleanup and mosquito control efforts.
• 📞 Residents are encouraged to contact the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District at sgvmosquito.org to discuss long-term options and request service for pool treatment.