News and Media: Disaster 4724

To reduce dust and runoff of contaminants from the ash and debris on Lahaina properties affected by the Aug. 8 wildfires, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is treating ash and debris with a soil stabilizer. The soil stabilizer is non-toxic once dried, and residents are asked to wait 24 hours after application of the soil stabilizer before entering their property.

HONOLULU – Few things are as unsettling as having a disaster turn your world upside-down. It creates a wide range of emotions that may last for many months. If you are overcome by feelings of hopelessness and stress, you are not alone. Help is available.

This fact sheet is for applicants and subapplicants to provide awareness of environmental justice requirements for FEMA grant programs. The fact sheet will help applicants and subapplicants understand how FEMA reviews proposed projects for compliance with Executive Order 12898 and provides examples of project types that can have environmental justice considerations.

LĀHAINĀ, Hawaiʻi – As this town reopened to its sons and daughters, most arrived in pairs for the chance to say goodbye and sift through the ashes. The re-entry of residents and business owners into the burned area has been carefully orchestrated. It follows intensive efforts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, working in partnership with cultural monitors from Lāhainā, to clean the worst of the toxic materials left by the flames. And the re-entry process comes ahead of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ contribution to those efforts by removing fire-damaged debris from private property.

FEMA is committed to helping all eligible survivors recover from the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires, including U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals and qualified non-citizens. Survivors who do not qualify for federal assistance may still call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for referrals to other sources of aid.