Beckwourth Complex Recovery Information

8-12-21 Press Release - Household Hazardous waste cleanup to begin for structures impacted by Beckwourth Fire

Phase 1 Cleanup

DTSC Emergency Response will begin Phase 1 Operations in Plumas County starting Monday 8/16/2021 for the Beckwourth Complex Fire. For information on what can be expected during the Phase 1 Operations click here. The assessment guide is performed by DTSC Emergency Response personnel, it is NOT to be performed by residents.

Online Structure Damage Map

Cal Fire has released a map of properties damaged and destroyed by the Dixie Fire within Plumas County. Please do NOT call the Sheriff’s Office for additional information. 

The icons on the map indicate the current known status of the structure. Click here for the map.

From the Assessor’s Office

If you discover any structures, Business, personal property or boats that have been damaged, please fill out the Calamity Application form located on the Plumas County Assessor’s webpage. 

If you have questions regarding the forms or general information regarding your property, please contact our office at 530-283-6380 to speak with one of the appraisers on staff.

Returning Home

When areas affected by the fire with destroyed homes and property are opened to residents, residents will have limited access to visit property to collect recognizable belongings and mementos that may have survived the fire. Please review critical health and safety information when returning to an area that has been affected by the fire.

Prior to returning home, a household Hazardous Waste clearance inspection should be conducted. 

ADVISORY AGAINST DISTURBING BURN ASH ON DESTROYED PROPERTY

Dr. Mark Satterfield, Plumas County Health Officer, has issued a Declaration of a Local Health Emergency for the Beckwourth Complex and Dixie Fires because there is evidence from recent fires in California that homes and other types of property destroyed by fire contain high levels of heavy metals, lead, mercury, dioxin, arsenic, and/or other carcinogens. Some property may also have the presence of radioactive materials. Exposure to these hazardous substances may lead to acute and chronic health effects, and may cause long-term public health and environmental impacts.  

While the Plumas County Office of Emergency Services understands your need to access your property to assess damage and look for valuables, keepsakes, and mementoes that may have survived the fire, anyone accessing burned properties should use extreme caution and should follow Health Department guidance (attached).  Furthermore, anyone accessing burned properties should not disturb the footprint of any burned structures or areas.  Moving ash, debris or other burned materials may exclude your property from state funding for hazardous materials assessment and cleanup.

Plumas County is diligently working with various state and federal partners to establish a process for the quick assessment and removal of household hazardous waste and asbestos, as well as structural ash and debris from the fire. Until this process in finalized, please leave burned structure, ash and debris undisturbed as much as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Health and Safety Precautions for Re-Entry and Debris Removal After Fire

Please see this document from Plumas County Environmental Health on how to safely return home and begin to remove debris after the fire. Click here.

Emotional Wellness

The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This is a toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service. Call 1.800.985.5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained counselor.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a Behavioral Health Crisis situation, you can reach the Plumas County Behavioral Health Crisis Line at 1-800-757-7898 or 530-283-6307.

You can also reach out to the following places for assistance with counseling 

PCIRC at 530-283-5515

Rethink Industries at 530-283-2465

American Red Cross

For all Red Cross recovery services, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcross.org/gethelp.