Fire Recovery & Resources
Fire Recovery & Resources
On September 9th, 2020 San Mateo County Health Officer Scott Morrow declared a health emergency due to the public health threat of hazardous waste from wildfires. The Health Order prohibits the unsafe removal, transport, and disposal of fire debris to ensure safety of residents and the environment.
As the Phase I US EPA removal of household hazardous waste nears
completion, the County is now entering Phase II of debris
removal.
Phase II debris
removal information and forms
Phase I: Household Hazardous Waste Removal
Waste Removal
Phase I is the emergency removal of small quantities of household hazardous waste (HHW) from residences. If you have large quantities of HHW, or if you have HHW but do not have a residential property, contact Environmental Health Services for further direction.
Phase II: Removal of Ash and Debris
Waste Removal
To ensure safety of workers, the public, and the environment, property owners must follow certain protocols after a wildfire disaster when removing structural ash and debris. There are two ways to manage the debris and ash resulting from the wildfire disaster.
- English
- Español
- San Mateo County Wildfire Debris Management Requirements and Template Work Plan
- Conditional Exemption from San Mateo County Debris Removal Requirements
- CZU Debris Removal Exemption Application
- CZU Debris Removal Completion Certification
- Property Owner Application to Hire a Private Contractor for Fire Debris Removal
- Read more
Contact Information & Additional Resources
Contacts
For questions about household hazardous waste or debris removal, please contact Environmental Health Services at (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org.
For additional wildfire recovery resources, visit the County’s Wildfire Recovery Page.