The Tustin City Council met today, Nov. 10, 2023, in an emergency meeting. The City Council voted 4-0 to authorize approval of a cooperative agreement to implement an emergency response related to the Tustin North Hangar fire with the U.S. Department of the Navy, which owns the North Hangar property.
About the Agreement
The cooperative agreement, which is still being finalized, is a mechanism to allow actions outside of the City’s purview to occur immediately with Navy administrative and financial support.
The agreement would allow the City to take immediate actions needed for remediation of the Tustin North Hangar site, for the health and safety of the Tustin community (an initial $1 million). The Navy will fund costs to ensure that the human health and safety are protected. This includes actions to ensure that asbestos assessment and remediation activities are available to Tustin residents and businesses. The funding may also be used by the City to safely demolish the hangar and stabilize the site.
This agreement comes after City and regional elected officials impressed upon the Navy the urgency of addressing the situation at the site, for the health and safety of the Tustin community. The agreement can be amended if expenses exceed $1M.
City Expands Debris Cleanup Services
In addition to the Navy cooperative agreement, the City is immediately expanding cleanup services available from Envirocheck, a Certified Asbestos Contractor, which began fire debris assessment and cleanup activities in the Tustin community on Thursday, Nov. 9. Envirocheck has established a hotline phone number for Tustin residents and businesses to call to request removal of fire debris from their homes or businesses at no cost to the property owner. If you are a Tustin resident or business and you have fire-related debris, the number to call is (714) 937-0750.
Remember: do not touch or disturb fire-related debris. Call Envirocheck.
Recommendations for Tustin’s Community Members
We urge you to follow the precautions outlined by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) when encountering any debris or ash.
- Try to limit your exposure by remaining indoors, with windows and doors closed or seek alternative shelter to reduce exposure to smoke and ash.
- Avoid touching ash and debris
- Limit or avoid activities that will displace ash into the air.
- Avoid direct contact with ash. If you get ash on your skin, in your eyes, or in your mouth, wash it off as soon as you can.
- People with heart or lung disease, including asthma, older adults, children, and pregnant women should use special caution around ash.
- Children and pets: Children should not be nearby while you clean up ash. Do not allow children to play in ash. Clean ash off all children’s toys before use. Clean ash off pets and other animals.
- Avoid vigorous activity.
- Run your air conditioner or air purifier. If possible do NOT use swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air.
- If you are going to be outside, a properly fitted N95 or P100 respirator may provide some protection.
- Keep your airways (nose and mouth) moist by drinking extra amounts of water.
- People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors.
- Seek medical attention if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue.
- Minimize exposure to other sources of indoor air pollution- avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves – including candles or incense.
For more information on reducing health risks from wildfire smoke and ash, visit the AQMD Wildfire Smoke and Ash Safety Tips webpage and follow updated Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in your area.
Temporary Tustin Park Closures / Event Cancellations / Tustin Schools Closures
At the recommendation of the Orange County Health Care Agency and out of an abundance of caution, the City has closed certain parks and recommends community members limit outdoor activities unless alerted otherwise. Link to City’s last update (Nov. 8, 2023).
Questions
- For more information regarding air quality or health effects of smoke/ash, Tustin community members are encouraged to contact the OCHCA directly at 714-628-7085. This hotline is available throughout the weekend from 8am – 8pm daily.
- For more information on reducing health risks from wildfire smoke and ash, visit the AQMD Wildfire Smoke and Ash Safety Tips webpage and follow updated Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in your area.
- Visit our website at www.tustinca.org for more information.
