Clearlake officials encourage speedy cleanup of fire debris

Clearlake city officials are asking the owners of homes destroyed by the Sulphur fire to help hasten the removal of debris and cleanup to reduce the amount of contamination that goes into the lake.

Many of the homes destroyed in the Sulphur fire are on hillsides and others are located along the shoreline. Several lake piers were also destroyed.

Lake County General Manager Greg Folsom said in a statement Wednesday that property owners must complete “Right of Entry” forms to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and CalRecycle to begin removing heavy debris.

The removal of such debris follows cleanup of household hazardous waste conducted by the state Department of Toxic Substances Control.

“It is important that people return the Right of Entry forms as soon as possible to expedite the cleanup of our city and keep contamination of the lake to a minimum,” Folsom said.

The Army Corps of Engineers began removing heavy debris on Nov. 1.

While participation of the U.S. Army Corps program is voluntary, the requirement that residents quickly remove their debris is not, city officials said.

The city said residents who are in need of temporary housing are asked to contact Clearlake City Hall at 707-994-8201.

You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 707-521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @renofish.