SANTA MONICA ‒ The dolphins frolicking in the shimmering waters along the Pacific Coast Highway are about to face an unexpected and harmful situation.

When the next rain arrives, the debris from the canyons and hills scorched by the recent wildfires will flow down into the Pacific Ocean via ravines and drainage ditches.

“It’s heartbreaking, truly heartbreaking,” remarked Marjan Khonsari, a long-time Santa Monica resident and co-founder of Kapowui Surf Lessons. “The entire ecosystem is going to shift.”

The wildfires that have swept through Los Angeles over the past two weeks will create an unmatched environmental disaster that will have repercussions for years. Experts warn that the toxic ash will settle in backyards and play areas, leading to health problems like asthma attacks, contamination of drinking water, and even a heightened risk of dementia linked to exposure to wildfire smoke.

Swimmers and surfers have already been advised to stay out of the water, as the pollutants will likely have lasting effects on water quality and marine life, including dolphins.

The wreckage from approximately 12,000 burned homes and businesses is so hazardous that homeowners may be prohibited from clearing the debris themselves. Following protocol seen in similar situations, it is expected that residents will need to rely on certified professionals to sift through the rubble for valuable items and prepare properties for rebuilding.

For many individuals who cannot or choose not to rebuild, this scenario adds them to the increasing population of climate refugees, compelled to move after climate-change-enhanced natural disasters.

This situation strikes particularly hard in an eco-conscious and health-aware community, where local coffee shops practice recycling and composting, restaurants warn diners about potential cancer risks from fried food, and parking structures display signs about the health hazards of vehicle emissions.

However, these wildfire pollutants—including benzene, styrene, formaldehyde, and cadmium—are not substances that can be easily removed by simply enjoying a $16 “Royal Defense” smoothie from the premium grocery store Erewhon. A study conducted in 2024 indicates that wildfire smoke is already responsible for an estimated 10,000 deaths in California each year, in contrast to 4,000 fatalities from traffic incidents.

Rushing Downhill into Santa Monica Bay

Four winding road miles high up at nearly 1,000 feet above the ocean, smoke billowed over the small community of Topanga this week. Known for its alternative lifestyle, Topanga managed to avoid the worst impacts of the Palisades Fire, though some homes caught flames and the canyon leading to the Pacific Coast Highway was scorched.

While providing gas, coffee, and propane to the isolated residents, volunteer Seth Monk, 41, expressed concern for the effects on areas below. Any debris caught by rainfall will be swept down the canyon, through or over the Pacific Coast Highway, straight into Santa Monica Bay. During the fire’s most intense moments, he described the scene as resembling a volcano erupting above the canyon.

“The forest and wildlife have suffered immense loss,” expressed Monk, a meditation instructor. “All of that will just flow into the ocean.”

Topanga Canyon has previously experienced mudslides and rockfalls. Last summer, the access road was closed for months after severe rains caused rocks to cascade onto the roadway, forcing residents to find alternative routes to reach Santa Monica. Following the Palisades Fire, rocks began to tumble onto the roadway once more, obstructing lanes in various spots.

“We are expecting significant rainfall, and it’s going to be problematic,” said Khonsari, the surf shop founder. “After it rains, everything will wash into the ocean.”

Asbestos Tiles Turned to Dust, Cars Reduced to Frames

The lack of precipitation this winter significantly contributed to the rapid and massive expansion of the Palisades Fire. Following several years of heavy rains that fostered the growth of brush and grass, the rain ceased, leading to dried vegetation.

Beverley Auerbach and her husband had called Pacific Palisades home since 1980 and had witnessed numerous fires encroach over the years. Yet when they received evacuation notices, they proactively packed up their cars and made their way toward Santa Monica.

Typically, the 1.5-mile drive from their home in the Palisades down to Temescal Canyon takes about six minutes. This time, it took Auerbach 45 minutes. She considered herself fortunate, as many of her neighbors who delayed their departure were forced to abandon their vehicles in a traffic jam, fleeing for safety before the advancing flames reached them.

All around Palisades, burned-out cars rest on melted tires, with aluminum engine blocks puddled on the ground. Electric vehicles, along with their precious rare earth element batteries, melted down to their frames.

Auerbach’s residence was among hundreds destroyed, as well as the homes of 30 of her friends and neighbors in the Alphabets area. Ironically, she noted, they had all engaged in discussions about living more sustainably. Many residents had invested in electric vehicles, solar panels, and reduced their water usage in the garden.

She is in no rush to return to her neighborhood, as in the 1990s, she and her husband removed asbestos tiles from their kitchen — a task many of their neighbors did not undertake. Concerned about the contamination affecting their neighborhood, she pondered how they would manage the cleanup: “It’s filled with plastic, asbestos, and so much more.”

Residents Confront Cleanup of ‘Highly Toxic’ Debris

Officials have not yet indicated when the residents of the Palisades and other severely affected areas will be allowed to return, partially because they are likely still formulating a plan to handle an influx of grieving individuals entering hazardous areas.

Health authorities have already prohibited the use of leaf blowers for clearing ash due to inhalation risks, and they are advising residents returning to their homes to wipe surfaces down and mop floors to remove ash, rather than using vacuums.

“The airborne dust and ash contain fine particles that can irritate or worsen existing health issues, particularly for children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with heart or lung conditions,” warned the Los Angeles County Public Health Department.

Surviving residents are eager to return to their homes, recover their belongings, and resume their daily routines. Those who lost their houses are equally anxious to search through the wreckage for items that may have survived, from jewelry in fireproof safes to cherished artwork or vintage cars.

One expert advised YSL News that residents should regard their communities as dangerous “burn pits,” resembling those used by the military in Iraq and Afghanistan to dispose of waste. Another expert cautioned against even touching the remains of their homes.

“Residents should absolutely refrain from going back and sifting through the debris,” stated Katie Arrington, an environmental cleanup specialist who has assisted with recovery efforts following a 2021 wildfire in suburban Denver that destroyed around 1,000 homes. “This debris is highly toxic. It results from the combination of various materials and the burning process. It’s not just the remains of your house, but your neighbor’s homes, your vehicle parked in the driveway.

Arrington, who is part of Boulder County’s Recovery and Resiliency Division, mentioned that the process of clearing debris from residences ravaged by the 2021 Marshall Fire took a total of six months and involved skilled contractors specifically trained to manage hazardous waste.

In many instances, she explained, workers needed to excavate at least three inches of soil from residents’ yards to minimize the ash and toxic material contamination to safe levels. This task, which typically cost between $40,000 to $60,000 per residence, was financed through a mix of homeowners’ insurance alongside federal, state, and local grants.

“This will be vital for anyone aiming to rebuild, for the well-being of animals and children, and for our future,” Arrington remarked.

‘Toxic substances scattered throughout Los Angeles’

Experts indicate that the intensity of wildfires across the United States, especially in western regions, has been increasing due to climate change. Furthermore, there’s a growing danger in areas known as the wildland-urban interface where more homes face threats.

While scientists have a firm understanding of the issues linked to wildfire smoke emitted from burning vegetation, there is still limited research on the repercussions of large-scale urban fires.

Luke Montrose, an environmental toxicologist and assistant professor in environmental and radiological health sciences, investigates the effects of wildfire smoke on individuals and communities. He noted that studies show the health hazards faced by wildland firefighters—who almost never wear respirators or N-95 masks even in the worst smoke conditions—and he expresses concern about the risks for residents when entire neighborhoods are engulfed by flames.

A study involving Montanans exposed to wildfire smoke for six weeks in 2017 revealed that their lung function continued to be compromised for at least two years after that exposure, Montrose explained. This was solely smoke from burning trees—not homes, vehicles, or grocery stores.

“Overall, this resembles exposure to burn pits more than traditional forest fires,” he commented regarding the Palisades and Eaton fires. “It’s essentially garbage being burned, and as that fire consumes homes, cars, and trees, it releases a wider variety of toxic substances. You also introduce heavy metals, such as lead, and constituents from building materials, foams, plastics, carpeting, and asphalt.”

David Michaels, the previous head of OSHA (the federal workplace safety regulatory agency), emphasized that authorities will face challenging choices in the immediate days, weeks, and months ahead. Scientists recognize that the debris is hazardous, as is the ash laying on the homes that still stand, but residents need to return home soon.

“This ash is tainted with numerous toxic chemicals, falling upon various parts of Los Angeles, including children’s play areas and backyards. Children are at a significantly higher risk,” stated Michaels, who now teaches at George Washington University School of Public Health and serves as a commissioner with the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health.

Michaels further explained that the United States needs to confront both the dangers and the underlying causes of these urban firestorms. Employers must acknowledge that workers cannot be mandated to return to their jobs amidst such significant health hazards, and society must face the truth that climate change is exacerbating these fires.

“This issue has not yet been fully recognized as a national crisis in the United States, but it should be. Many Americans are experiencing disruptions and adverse effects due to the climate crisis, and we have a duty to support them,” he argued. “The consequences, especially for children, will be profound.”

Threats to Marine Life

In Santa Monica, the vibrant waters that attract surfers, swimmers, and fishermen reflect years of diligent efforts by organizations like Heal the Bay aimed at minimizing pollution and runoff. Over recent decades, oceanic wildlife has flourished. Dolphins, once a rare sight, are now often spotted interacting curiously with surfers amid the Pacific waves riding toward the coastline’s sandy stretches.

Marine experts indicate that toxic runoff can lead to both immediate and long-lasting detrimental effects on fish and other aquatic species inhabiting the bay. The extent of the damage will vary based on the volume of runoff produced.

Environmental advocates are also concerned about the implications of Governor Gavin Newsom’s choice to temporarily waive some coastal regulations to expedite recovery and rebuilding processes.

Khonsari, a surf shop owner, expressed that she has had to cancel numerous lessons to ensure her instructors remain safe on land, avoiding eye infections or more severe issues from contaminated waters. With the COVID-19 pandemic now behind us and tourism on the rise, she had envisioned 2025 as a prosperous year.

Then the Palisades set ablaze.

“Things were looking so promising, and it’s disheartening to consider the possible outcomes for marine life,” she stated. “With rain on the way, the situation could worsen significantly.”

(This story has been updated to fix a typo.)