Placer County is providing a debris removal “bin program” to assist home and business owners in cleaning up properties damaged by the 49 Fire.
Under the program, property owners impacted by the fire can request the bins which will be placed in the county right of way where individual owners can access them to dump rubble from the fire.
Working directly with Placer County, Auburn Placer Disposal Service will provide the bins and empty them as needed. Each bin will be assigned to a particular parcel owner for that owner’s exclusive use. The County will work with APDS to coordinate placement of the bins and disposal of the waste, which is considered hazardous in many circumstances.
Property owners are responsible for the cost of the service, but typically recoup those costs through homeowner’s insurance. If owners contract for debris bins, they must assure that others don’t use them to dispose of their debris.
Whether or not property owners participate in the county-coordinated bin program, fire debris and materials must be taken to the Western Placer Regional Landfill on Fiddyment Road north of Roseville. They will not be accepted at the Shale Ridge Dropoff Center. A reduced rate for fire debris is being offered at the landfill.
Property owners are also free to contract or work independently to remove the debris.
All debris must be removed by Oct. 15, 2009, in order for the County to avoid a public health emergency which may occur were rains to wash contaminated debris and ash into the storm drain system. Protective clothing must be used by those providing the clean up work. A copy of the county’s debris removal and safety requirements has been provided to individuals and businesses as owners seek demolition permits. The information is also available on the county web site by clicking this link: Debris Removal Requirements, or may be picked up in the Community Development Resource Center, 3091 County Center Drive, during weekday business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We understand that clearing all debris by Oct. 15 can be a big challenge for property owners; however it is necessary to mitigate health, safety and environmental impacts in the community,” said Rui Cunha, Program Manager, Placer County Office of Emergency Services.
“The county-coordinated bin program does not replace individual responsibility, but is intended to facilitate coordination and in some cases will be helpful to our residents and neighbors. It’s also critical that safety precautions be followed to ensure the safety of property owners, staff working in the field and also the neighbors. However county staff are ready to assist with information and guidance.”
To date, 52 demolition permits have been issued, and almost 2/3 of the property owners have already made significant progress in clearing the debris. “Their success is attributable to their ‘roll up your sleeves and get it done attitude,’” Cunha declared. “We salute them for their hard work and their commitment.”
One family, in fact, has already been issued a building permit by the county to begin rebuilding their home.
Placer County is also applying for state grants to help pay for recovery efforts. The county estimates that 1,700 residents and individuals associated with businesses were affected by the fire. An estimated 15,000 tons of debris are being removed from 81 affected parcels.