LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Residents will need to prepare to deal with debris removal when returning to homes affected by the Valley fire.

As Cal Fire and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office begin to allow residents to return to their homes, officials said residents should prioritize the disposal of damaged goods.

Lake County has been working with a number of agencies to outline the disposal of the aftermath of the Valley fire.

Partners include the East Lake Landfill, South Lake Refuse, Cal Recycle, California Office of Emergency Services and California Department of Toxic Substances.

Most residents have been without electricity for more than a week. Disposal of food is the No. 1 priority.

For residents returning to homes, all three waste bins – trash, recycled and green/compost – can be used to dispose of all food products.

Trash bins will be picked up approximately three days after a neighborhood is repopulated.

Residents without bins should contact South Lake Refuse at 707-994-8613 to schedule replacement bins.

Twenty dumpsters will be strategically placed in the repopulated neighborhoods for the disposal of food items.

Dumpsters will be attended by volunteers to ensure that only appropriate items are disposed in these dumpsters.

Toxic substances and household hazard waste, such as paint and home hazardous products, will not be accepted in the dumpsters.

A household hazard waste sweep through the neighborhood, at no cost to residents, will be announced when more information is available.

For burned out areas, household hazard waste that is surrounded by ash should not be touched without proper protective gear, as there can be potential health hazards associated with it.

A local assistance center, located at the Middletown Senior Center/Library, will distribute gloves and masks daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about disposal of household goods, please contact the Lake County Office of Public Services at 707-262-1760.