HTO has joined a group effort to prevent Alisal Fire debris and toxins from going down the creek into the watershed and ocean. HTO joined hands with Santa Barbara Channelkeeper to make this happen.

The project was organized by Abe Powell, the celebrated leader of the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade, who saw that because there was no State or Federal disaster declaration for the Alisal Fire, there was no plan in place for "consolidated debris removal" which means that the residents were on their own for cleanup of the structures and vehicles that burned. Translated to no financial help, the homeowners were on their own.

Ash and debris from burned homes are highly toxic. So, to protect the soil, groundwater, creeks, and ocean, Channelkeeper volunteered physical labor, and Heal the Ocean donated the funds for the materials needed to keep the pollutants from running downhill.

Read more about the project here.