Caldor Fire Hazmat Cleanup, El Dorado National Forest, CA

ERRG conducted debris cleanup activities performed at U.S Forest Service-owned structures and special-use permitted privately owned structures damaged or destroyed in the Caldor Fire, which originated near Grizzly Flat, California. The cleanup was conducted in multiple phases due to winter weather.

In the first phase ERRG collected waste characterization samples from Grizzly Falls Guard Station, Plummer Guard Station, Capps Campground, and the Alder Creek Bridge and the results were used to identify waste streams and appropriate waste facilities for debris removal activities.  Additional testing for soluble threshold limit concentration and/or toxicity characteristic leaching procedure was performed on the samples from three of the locations. Additionally, 34 samples were collected for analysis of bulk asbestos.  No asbestos was detected in any of the samples.

All readily accessible debris was removed from the Grizzly Falls Guard Station and the Plummer Guard Station sites, placed in a bin, and transported to a recycling facility. After the removal of all accessible debris, the Grizzly Flat Guard Station and the Plummer Guard Station were winterized to stabilize the sites.  The sites were covered with two layers of 10-millimeter reinforced/ ultraviolet-resistant plastic sheeting secured with sandbags.

In the second phase, ERRG cleaned up non-structural debris including two fire-damaged vehicles, residual fuel contained in two aboveground fuel storage tanks, and numerous alkaline batteries and empty gas cans.  Approximately 200 gallons of residual fuel was removed from two aboveground storage tanks and transported offsite.  Both aboveground storage tanks were left empty and in place for reuse. ERRG consolidated all alkaline batteries and placed them with the non-RCRA hazardous debris from the Grizzly Falls Guard Station Storage Connex.

Background soil characterization samples were collected from native soil outside the fire-impacted building areas in the vicinity of the Grizzly Flat Guard Station and the Plummer Guard Station and were submitted for laboratory analysis to establish background screening levels.  The background soil sample results were compared to the post-fire debris removal confirmation samples collected following building cleanup activities at the sites. 

At each building, ERRG consolidated all ash and debris using an excavator into a stockpile for direct loading into dump trucks.  The materials from the areas of the Grizzly Falls Guard Station Storage Connex and the Plummer Guard Station Cabin were stockpiled separately.  The stockpiled soil, ash, and debris were profiled as non-RCRA hazardous waste and transported and disposed of in compliance with federal and state requirements.

ERRG excavated soil to a depth between 3 and 6 inches below ground surface at all building locations.  Soil was removed from within each building footprint and approximately 36 inches around each perimeter.  The excavated material was stockpiled near each building footprint and directly loaded into dump trucks.

Multiple buildings contained metal debris within the building footprint and around the perimeter of the building.  The metal debris did not contain any flaking lead-based paint.  All metal debris was removed using an excavator and stockpiled near each building before being placed into a metal bin. 

All building foundations and concrete slabs were left in place.  Concrete slabs were swept, and all debris was removed and consolidated for disposal with other ash and debris from each former structure location.  The area surrounding the Alder Creek Bridge was cleared of asphalt and wood debris.  The wood debris was stockpiled separately and directly loaded into dump trucks. 

After all soil, ash, and debris were removed, soil confirmation samples were collected from within the footprint or perimeter of the four buildings located at Grizzly Flat Guard Station, the two buildings at Plummer Ridge Guard Station, and the two buildings at Capps Campground.  The eight composite confirmation samples were collected and submitted to the laboratory for analysis of metals.  Analytical results were compared against the selected cleanup goal for each metal. 

Following completion of all cleanup activities at the sites, ERRG graded all building areas to be level with the surrounding natural topography.  Where needed, straw wattle and coconut erosion control blankets were added where soil had been disturbed.  ERRG then demobilized all equipment, temporary site facilities, and materials brought to the site.