Ash Removal

Ash cleanup operations can be time and resource intensive after a significant ashfall. Prompt requests for assistance and support from public and private sources located outside the zone can significantly help cleanup activities, especially if such requests are a part of existing regional contingency plans. Coordinating the use of local and regional resources helps to:

1. prioritize cleanup operations of specific facilities, infrastructure, and neighborhoods in concert with businesses and residents.
2. make certain that resources are used most effectively.
3. prevent cleanup activities from adversely affecting adjacent areas, infrastructure, or economic activities as much as possible.

In some cases, it may be helpful to restrict access to certain areas during clean-up operations. For example, after the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens, a successful city-wide neighborhood clean-up program operated on a block by block basis using local and outside work crews and equipment in Eastern Washington. To minimize traffic problems, the city of Yakima restricted access to sixteen blocks in the Central Business District for several days.

If local fire-fighting equipment is used to help in cleanup activities, see recommendations to protect the fire-fighting capability and equipment.