SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) Officer Dr. Francisco Velázquez issued an emergency order on Tuesday, calling for federal, state and local agencies to remove hazardous materials from properties that were burned during the Spokane Area Fires.

According to SRHD officials, the order authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as their recovery partners, to quickly begin conducting operations to “identify, assess, and remove household hazardous materials.”

The order was issued as Spokane County residents continue to recover from the destruction left across the county by the Old Trails Fire, Fairview Fire and Autumn Lane Fire.

"Many fire-damaged properties contain hazardous materials that are not always visible," Velázquez said. "The goal of this order is to remove barriers to recovery, reduce health risks, and help affected communities move safely and efficiently toward rebuilding.”

SRHD officials noted that properties damaged during the fires will automatically be assessed for hazardous materials, and removal of any such materials found will begin quickly afterwards, unless property owners decide to “opt out.”

“Property owners who opt out will be responsible for coordinating and funding their own hazardous materials cleanup, obtaining required permits, and complying with all applicable environmental and public health regulations,” the district stated.

A special SRHD press conference was held on Tuesday to discuss the emergency order, which the district shared via YouTube. Additional information about processes for protecting public health after wildfires can be found on the SRHD website.