Public health officials are nearing the completion of a large-scale mosquito control campaign in the Eaton Fire burn area, where 1,475 fire-damaged swimming pools have been identified as high-risk breeding sites for mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus and dengue.

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District (SGVMVCD), with support from Cal OES, regional vector control agencies, and local partners, expects to finish treatments by the end of June. Many of the pools became hazardous due to utility loss, structural damage, or abandonment following the fire.

The campaign began in mid-March, first targeting ~700 high-priority pools. Crews used extended residual larvicides effective for up to 90 days. Biological mosquito control methods, such as mosquitofish, were also deployed.

Agencies involved:

• California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services: Provided pesticide, PPE, and staffing
• Greater LA County Vector Control: Supplied response specialists
• Orange County Mosquito Control: Provided biological control with mosquito fish

Despite no West Nile virus detections so far and lower-than-average mosquito abundance, SGVMVCD urges residents to:

• Dump standing water weekly
• Discard unused containers
• Use EPA-approved repellent (DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, IR3535)