LightBox Report Uncovers Environmental Risks in Southern California Wildfire Recovery

LightBox Opens Access to Wildfire Response Map to Assist Recovery Efforts

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LightBox, a leader in geospatial intelligence and property data solutions, today released a report highlighting previously undocumented environmental hazards in areas affected by the January Southern California wildfires. In a commitment to assist communities in rebuilding safely, LightBox is offering access to its report 'The Environmental Crisis After Wildfires: Unseen Threats in Recovery' and the accompanying comprehensive Wildfire Response Map.

The LightBox report reveals significant environmental concerns within the Palisades and Eaton fire perimeters in the recovery and clean-up effort. Some highlights include:

• In the Palisades-affected area, LightBox identified more than 10,000 structures impacted, including more than 200 businesses.
• Approximately 700 properties were flagged for likely contamination from hazardous materials, with 150 of these containing underground storage tanks (USTs).
• Similarly, in the Eaton-affected area, the LightBox analysts identified more than 9,000 structures that were impacted, including 175 businesses.
• 600 properties were flagged for likely contamination from hazardous materials, including 75 USTs.

The report, authored by Richard W. White, director of Research and Development for LightBox, states that traditional risk models, which rely on historical land use and property records, often fail to capture emerging hazards after wildfires. The report highlights this gap: CA HAZNET, a database that tracks hazardous waste shipments recorded more than 40 asbestos-related waste entries (waste code 151) in a single wildfire-affected neighborhood.

 "This data changes everything," said Caroline Stoll, general manager of Data and Analytics for LightBox, who is quoted in the report. "If property records indicate no asbestos risk but hazardous waste tracking tells a different story, it can completely alter the cleanup and rebuilding plans and dramatically minimize human health exposure."

The LightBox report highlights the need for a more detailed, data-driven approach to address hidden environmental threats when considering rebuilding efforts. In the interest of helping the community rebuild, LightBox has made available its Wildfire Response Map for environmental engineers, public agencies, and the community at no cost. This tool provides real-time environmental risk mapping to prevent rebuilding mistakes that could cost lives and billions of dollars in the future.

"With the goal to rebuild safer, not just faster, communities need to stop relying on incomplete data," said LightBox Data Scientist Zach Wade in the report. "Real-time environmental risk mapping helps prevent costly rebuilding mistakes that could endanger lives and result in billions of dollars in future damages."

Access the full LightBox report and Wildfire Response Map

About LightBox

At LightBox, we are at the forefront of delivering geospatial intelligence and property data solutions. Our dedication to innovation propels our customers forward by providing them with the essential tools required to navigate complex decisions, minimize risk, and boost productivity across the spectrum of real estate operations. LightBox is renowned for its commitment to promoting excellence and fostering connections in the industry, serving an extensive clientele of over 30,000 customers. Our diverse client base spans commercial and government sectors, including brokers, developers, investors, lenders, insurers, technologists, environmental advisors, appraisers, and businesses that depend on geospatial information. To discover more about how LightBox can illuminate the path to informed real estate and geospatial solutions, visit us at: www.LightBoxRE.com

For more information, visit www.LightBoxRE.com.

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