The Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu was decimated by the Palisades Fire. The burn scar is devoid of vegetation which leads to excessive soil degradation and runoff into nearby Malibu Creek and Malibu Lagoon.
LA County Department of Public Health warned people to avoid a significant stretch of coastline from Malibu to Santa Monica and beyond especially after recent rains. The Pacific Palisades fire was followed by rains that caused runoff into nearby Pacific ocean and delicate areas like the Malibu Lagoon, home to migrating birds and fish.
"Fire debris runoff and pollutants in the water and on the sand may contain toxic or carcinogenic chemicals," the department’s press release said.