Debris From Fires To Be Removed

Big Bear Grizzly News, December 2007

San Bernardino County supervisors awarded debris removal contracts totaling $20 million to two firms. The firms will clear fire debris from mountain properties destroyed by the Slide and Grass Valley fires in October.

Sukut Construction will remove structural debris and destroyed vehicles. Vector Engineering will provide construction management and contract compliance services as well as oversight of erosion control measures for the debris removal operation. Under the contract, the plan is to have 100 percent of the properties cleaned up whether property owners use the county-crafted debris removal program or some other means. Property owners are responsible for cleaning their property and need to decide how to clear the debris. In January, county code enforcement will begin the process of notifying property owners of their legal obligation to clean up the fire debris.

So far, 34 percent of the 164 properties destroyed by the fires are enrolled in the program. Clearing asbestos from the debris is under way, and is scheduled to be completed by Friday, Dec. 21, 2007.

The county debris removal program offers a complete range of services at no direct cost to the property owner.