Palisades Fire Debris Polluting Santa Monica Bay, Researchers Warn

Post-Fire Pollution in Santa Monica Bay

• ⚠️ Researchers are concerned about hidden dangers in Santa Monica Bay due to debris from the Palisades Fire.
• 🌊 Heavy rains have turned ash and debris from the burn zone into a dirty brew flowing into the bay.
• 🪵 Twisted metal, wood, and ash are washing ashore, impacting the marine environment.

Water Quality Testing and Concerns

• 🔬 Ashley Olsen from the California Coastal Alliance has been testing water samples for nine months since the fire.
• 💨 Video shows apparent steam rising from ashy runoff after a recent storm.
• 🧪 Samples from Malibu and Venice showed clearer water compared to Santa Monica and Will Rogers, suggesting localized impact.
• 🏭 While daily pollution is a factor, the fire debris and charcoal are significant contributors to the current water quality issues.

Health Impacts and Public Health Response

• 🤕 Surfers in the area have reported staff infections and terrible sinus infections, with the water appearing super brown and feeling icky.
• 🤢 There are concerns about toxicity from burned household materials entering the ocean.
• ✅ LA County public health officials state that bacteria levels are consistently tested and deemed safe for swimming.

Ongoing Research and Community Support

• 🧐 Ashley Olsen aims to understand the mix of fire debris and other pollutants entering the ocean.
• 💰 Testing these complex samples is expensive, and the group is fundraising to support their research.
• 🔗 A link to help the research group is available at foxla.com.