𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗼𝗳𝗳

SANTA MONICA – On a rainy Tuesday morning, March 11, 2025, Santa Monica Beach Maintenance crews were seen operating heavy machinery to remove wildfire debris and storm runoff remnants from the shoreline. Using a Cherrington Model 5500 Beach Cleaner and a John Deere tractor with a beach cleaner attachment, crews worked along the sand to sift out charred fragments and other material likely carried from burn areas by recent heavy rains.

The Cherrington Model 5500, a self-propelled beach cleaner, is designed to sift sand, removing cigarette butts, bottle caps, and small debris while collecting up to 1.5 cubic yards of material in its hopper. The machine is capable of cleaning up to six inches deep and is commonly used for municipal beach maintenance. Meanwhile, the John Deere tractor with a beach cleaner attachment helped level the sand and remove larger debris, ensuring the area remains safe and suitable for public use.

These cleanup efforts follow the devastation caused by the Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, in Pacific Palisades and quickly spread due to extreme drought conditions and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds reaching 100 mph. The wildfire scorched 23,448 acres, destroying 6,837 structures, including homes, businesses, and places of worship. Over 100,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and surrounding communities were forced to evacuate. The fire resulted in 12 fatalities and multiple injuries before being fully contained on January 31, 2025.

Following the fire, strong winds and heavy rains washed wildfire remnants into local waterways, eventually depositing them onto beaches from Malibu to Santa Monica. Officials continue to monitor conditions as beach maintenance teams work to remove hazardous debris and ensure the coastline remains clean and safe for visitors.