With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
State Of Emergency Declared After Tustin Hangar Fire
A fire destroyed a massive World War II-era wooden hangar in Tustin on Nov. 7. It was built to house military blimps based in Southern California.
(
Jae C. Hong
/
AP
)
The Orange County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency Thursday afternoon in the aftermath of the fire that destroyed a World War II era hangar in Tustin earlier this week.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has found asbestos and heavy metals including lead, arsenic and nickel in air and ash samples, according to a county news release.
What you should know to protect yourself from poor air quality
-
The Southern California Air Quality Management District, which monitors air quality and enforces regulations offers this guidance:
-
Get information:
- Download the South Coast AQMD mobile app and sign up for advisories at AirAlerts.org
-
Get prepared:
- Change your filters regularly on an air conditioning system, if you have one. Look for filters labeled “MERV13” or higher, which are most effective for removing smoke particles.
- A portable HEPA air cleaner can also help. available will also help to create (See the EPA's tips for additional guidance on home air filtration.)
- Keep a few disposable respirators (i.e. N-95 or P-100 respirators) on hand
-
For vulnerable people:
- If you or your family member has a heart or lung disease (such as asthma), consult your doctor to have a plan in case in case of heavy smoke or other dangerous air quality issues.
Why a state of emergency?
Orange County Supervisor Donald Wagner said the state of emergency declaration is needed to speed up the process of getting clean-up help from the state and federal governments. Wagner's district surrounds the former U.S. Navy base where the hangar burned.
Support for LAist comes from
He said it was important to get expert help with the toxic clean-up and get the Navy, which owns the site, “on it quickly and on it right."
Ten U.S. Congress members from Southern California also sent a letter to the Navy on Thursday, requesting information about the building materials used to build the hangar and whether the Navy has a plan for cleaning up the fire and mitigating the effects on the surrounding community, among other questions.
LAist made several attempts to reach a Navy spokesperson late Thursday afternoon but didn't receive a response.
Supervisor Katrina Foley told LAist the Navy has so far refused to take leadership on the fire response. "It's their building, their property," she said. "They should do something…and not just rely on the locals to handle their mess."
The cause of the fire is still unknown. Wagner said the Orange County Fire Authority wasn't yet able to do a full investigation because of safety concerns in the still-smoldering building.
Should nearby residents be concerned?
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has advised Orange County residents who may be affected by windblown smoke, ash or debris to limit outdoor activity and avoid touching ash. Authorities also urged residents to avoid kicking the ash back up into the air, for example, by not using a mechanical blower to clean it up. More tips are available online.
Support for LAist comes from
Schools and parks in Tustin were closed Thursday. A Veteran’s Day event in Tustin scheduled for Saturday was canceled.
Updated November 10, 2023 at 10:22 AM PST
This story was updated with additional information about ash and air testing.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead.
Best of LAist