Cal Fire estimates recent wildfires statewide have destroyed 8,400 structures. The Tubbs fire alone destroyed an estimated 5,400 structures, making it the most destructive wildfire in California history. Though it started near Calistoga, the fire wreaked most of its property destruction in Sonoma County.

The first phase in hauling off the debris from destroyed homes is dealing with hazardous waste amid the ash and ruins.

“These are things like freon in a refrigerator, gasoline in a lawnmower, paint cans, oil cans, pesticides, cleaners,” Morrison said.

Morrison said that U.S. EPA intends to inspect properties after hazard waste cleanup before the rest of the demolition work can go forward.

People wanting to remove debris themselves will have a contractor submit a work plan to the county. Plans will say how they will remove the debris, where they will take it, how they will transport it, how they will test the soil to ensure it is clean enough for reconstruction.

If they want to reuse the foundation, they must have an engineer inspect it to ensure it’s structurally sound and test soils underneath to make certain the sub-base is undamaged.

“We do have people who want to move (forward) now,” Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza said.