Burned materials and ash cannot be accepted at Metro facilities
Materials burned in wildfires or wildfire ash can contain hazardous materials. Metro facilities cannot accept any items in burned condition or covered in ash.
Wildfire updates
Wildfire debris can be hazardous. Many homes have toxic chemicals like pesticides, motor oil and paint, and older homes may have asbestos. When a home has been affected by fire, these wastes can be in the ash or debris.
Talk to an expert before you begin cleanup
In order to clean up your property safely, you will need a professional to identify electrical and structural hazards, as well as any toxic chemicals or asbestos fibers that could harm your health.
A Fire Resource Center in Molalla has been created to answer all your questions about recovery, rebuilding and debris removal.
Staff from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are working together at the Fire Resource Center to assist the recovery process.
These agencies are working to make it as easy as possible to get fire-affected properties assessed for safe removal of debris, providing site-specific guidance to people impacted by the fires. They will also help determine if debris is hazardous and how it should be handled.
Until your property can be checked for hazards, please do not attempt to remove fire debris. This is for your health, and the health of people who will handle the debris once it’s ready for disposal.
Check DEQ’s site for updates and resources as they become available.