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Figure 1: Debris Removal Milestones

Figure 1: Debris Removal Milestones

Hangar 1 Debris Removal Monthly Update

March 2025

  • The Navy’s contractor has published a final work plan to address the remaining debris and steel/concrete structures within the North Hangar (Hangar 1) footprint. It was rigorously reviewed by local, state, and federal regulatory agencies for comment and approval. Reviewers included the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Santa Ana Region), City of Tustin (City), Orange County Health Care Agency, South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command, and California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery.
  • The Navy has awarded $105.8 million under the Cooperative Agreement with the City for the City’s emergency response. The Navy is continuing to work with the City to bring the response to the Hangar fire to a close.

Fieldwork Progress - March 2025

Navy fieldwork for the abatement and removal of onsite debris began July 8, 2024, and will continue into the second quarter of 2025.

Debris consolidation and removal:
  • Negative pressure containment units (CUs) support the decontamination and consolidation steps of the debris removal from within the Hangar 1 footprint and are built and then moved over work areas to prevent fugitive dust emissions (Photo 1, 6, 7, 8, & 10). The CUs are numbered CU-1 through CU-10 from south to north.
  • Negative pressure within the CU's is tested and confirmed before commencing the packaging of fire debris and sealing of transport bins for off-site disposal. Based on laboratory results, debris will continue to be characterized as non-Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) waste or RCRA waste and then transported for disposal (Photo 4).
  • Work has been completed in:
    • CU-1
    • CU-2
    • CU-8
    • CU-9
    • CU-10
  • Debris removal from CU-1 & CU-2 (south) and CU-8, CU-9 & CU-10 (north) is complete (Figure 1 and Photos 1 2, 3 and 10).  These CUs have passed Certified Asbestos Consultant inspection and laboratory analysis providing ~80% completion of the debris removed within the hangar footprint. CU-1 & CU-2 and CU-8, CU-9 & CU-10 have been deconstructed (Photos 7 & 10).
  • Bulk debris removal has begun in CU-3 and is currently ~80% complete as of March. Bulk debris removal will continue in April at CU-3 (photo 12), then CU-7, then CU-4.
  • While bulk debris removal is underway in CU-3, a second team is constructing negative containment in CU-7. Once debris removal in CU-3 is finished and construction of the containment feature for CU-7 is complete, then the debris removal will begin in CU-7 this April.
  • Negative containment construction will start in CU-4 after deconstruction of CU-3 is complete. Work will continue to alternate from side to side, moving inward as fieldwork continues.
  • Air monitoring continues around the Hangar 1 footprint and surrounding community (Photo 5). Results continue to remain below air quality thresholds.
Hangar 1 Structural Assessments:
  • Structural assessments were completed for the four remaining hangar towers on 15 November 2024. No significant issues were identified, and a report is underway to document the assessment findings.
Waste Disposal Summary through March 2025:
  • Non-RCRA Waste
    • 2,028.49 tons (369 bins)
  • RCRA Waste
    • 76.71 tons (12 bins)
  • Recycled Scrap Metal
    • 395.53 long tons (22 truck loads)
  Fieldwork Photos at Hangar 1:        
           
  Completed Negative Pressure Containment Units     Debris Consolidation and Decontamination  
  Photo 1 - Completed Negative Pressure Containment Units (CUs) at South (CU-1) and North (CU-10) ends of Hangar 1 footprint - August 2024     Photo 2 - Ongoing Debris Consolidation and Decontamination within the Negative Pressure Containment Units at Hangar 1 - September 2024  
  Debris in Containment Waste Vessels Staged for Offsite Disposal     Covered Waste Management Vehicle  
  Photo 3 - Hangar 1 Debris in Containment Waste Vessels Staged for Offsite Disposal - September 2024     Photo 4 - Enclosed Top Waste Management Vehicle - July 2024  
  Field Service of Air Monitoring Stations     East Side CU Construction To Support Debris Removal & Prevent Fugitive Dust  
  Photo 5 - Field Service of Air Monitoring Stations - August 2024     Photo 6 - East Side CU Construction to Support Debris Removal & Prevent Fugitive Dust - November 2024  
  Completed CU-10 (debris cleared space in front) and newly constructed CU-9 (foreground)     Reinforced barrier around the perimeter of Hangar 1 Footprint  
  Photo 7 - Completed CU-10 (debris cleared space in front) and newly constructed CU-9 (foreground) - December 2024     Photo 8 - Reinforced barrier around the perimeter of Hangar 1 Footprint – December 2024  
  Photo 9 - Hangar 1 perimeter wall and CU-2 damage following Santa Ana winds - January 2025     Photo 10 - Deconstruction of CU-9 after debris removal - January 2025  
  Photo 9 - Hangar 1 perimeter wall and CU-2 damage following Santa Ana winds - January 2025     Photo 10 - Deconstruction of CU-9 after debris removal - January 2025  
  Photo 11 - Scaffold Frame Construction of Containment Unit 08 - February 2025     Photo 12 – CU-3 waste truck pick up of consolidated bulk debris removal staged in green waste bins.  
  Photo 11 - Scaffold Frame Construction of Containment Unit 08 - February 2025     Photo 12 - CU-3 Waste Truck Pick Up of Consolidated Bulk Debris Removal Staged in Green Waste Bins  - March 2025  

 

Scope Of Work

Collapse All Expand All
Expand List item 1403Collapse List item 1403  Debris Consolidation, Stabilization, Characterization, and Disposal
  • Various media will be sampled such as plywood planks, paint chips, asbestos, mixed debris including burned ash material, fire damaged wood, and others.
  • Analytical laboratory data will help identify contaminants present in the debris and properly characterize the waste for offsite disposal.
Expand List item 1411Collapse List item 1411  Abatement and Demolition of Steel Hangar Doors
  • The Navy will evaluate and collect samples from the steel hangar doors to identify any contaminant risks (such as asbestos or lead). The doors will be broken down, debris will be consolidated based on the specific materials, and the waste will be characterized and disposed or recycled.
Expand List item 1412Collapse List item 1412  Structural Evaluation
  • After debris has been removed, four concrete towers and side structures will be assessed for fire damage, safety, and current structural integrity to determine what structures require demolition versus remaining in place.
Expand List item 1413Collapse List item 1413  Dust Suppression and Air Monitoring
  • To protect the community, containment units (CU) will be constructed utilizing negative pressure and reinforced flame-retardant poly to stage and store debris. The CUs will be built over work areas to prevent fugitive dust. As areas are cleared, the CUs will be moved to the next area for debris management.
  • Additionally, the Navy will utilize dust control and suppression techniques while debris removal activities are conducted.
  • The Navy will continue air monitoring daily in and around the Hangar 1 footprint and in the Columbus Square Community using 19 DustTrak stations (Photo 5).

Hangar 1 Background

Collapse All Expand All
Expand List item 1414Collapse List item 1414  A fire was reported in the North Hangar (Hangar 1) ...
  • A fire was reported in the North Hangar (Hangar 1) at former MCAS Tustin on Tuesday November 7, 2023. Due to the potential health risks, cleanup activities within the community began promptly and are ongoing. The Navy and the City of Tustin (City) entered into a Cooperative Agreement for the City’s emergency response and community cleanup services on November 11, 2023.
Expand List item 1415Collapse List item 1415  Debris from the fire consisted of numerous types of building materials ...
  • Debris from the fire consisted of numerous types of building materials, including asbestos and lead-based paint as a result of the age of the construction. The Navy has deconstructed and removed the hangar doors and is in the process of removing the fire debris within the Hangar 1 footprint. After cleanup, remaining hangar structures will be evaluated and removed if unsafe. A report documenting field activities and waste disposal documentation will follow (see milestone figure for approximate timeline).

Frequently Asked Questions

Collapse All Expand All
Expand List item 1418Collapse List item 1418  What will I see and what will be happening?
  • Workers wearing safety gear, heavy equipment, waste hauling trucks, large tented work areas, and spraying of water and/or tackifier to prevent fugitive dust.
  • Waste hauling trucks entering the site at the intersection of Victory Ave. and Armstrong Ave.
  • Air monitoring equipment on tripods at various locations at and around the perimeter of the site.
  • 24/7 security guards and lights at night to maintain site security.
Expand List item 1419Collapse List item 1419  What safety measures are being taken to protect the community?
  • ​Work will occur within tented structures under negative pressure (vacuum) to prevent dust from escaping in accordance with South Coast Air Quality Management District District Rule 1403 for asbestos abatement and under a site-specific Health and Safety Plan prepared in accordance with California Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines.
  • 24/7 real-time outdoor air monitoring for dust will be conducted continuously at the site and nearby neighborhoods to ensure dust does not escape into the community. Based on monitoring reports, additional measures could be made, including, but not limited to, stopping work.
  • Waste will be consolidated into sealed containers for offsite disposal, and trucks will be decontaminated before leaving the site.

Who To Contact

For questions or concerns about the abatement and removal of onsite debris at Hangar 1 you may contact the Navy and your local stakeholder representatives here: click this link

Administrative Record: click this link

Helpful Links:
Final Work Plan, Hangar 1 Debris Removal, Tustin CA: click this link
DTSC work notice: click this link
City of Tustin Fire Response Page: click this link

 
Website Updated: 16 April 2025

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