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A property damaged in the LA wildfires deemed unsafe to enter is red-tagged. | Photo courtesy of Los Angeles County/YouTube
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Residents of homes that were damaged or destroyed in recent Los Angeles County wildfires may formally request the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers clear fire debris from their properties free of charge, according to Los Angeles officials.
Debris removal work currently is in Phase 1, which is the removal of hazardous materials from properties by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Toxic substances from electronics, paints, burned building materials and other household chemicals are likely to be present at properties in the fires’ paths. Officials said the aim of Phase 1 is to ensure the areas in need of debris clearance do not pose a significant health risk.
Once the EPA completes Phase 1 work, the Corps of Engineers will then remove the physical debris from properties of owners who have opted into the free removal program. Residents may also opt out and hire their own contractors to do the removal work.
No specific time frame was initially provided for the EPA’s hazardous-waste assessment and removal operations.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday that the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have sent a letter to the EPA requesting Phase 1 removal work complete within 30 days, not the 60 days that was estimated initially.
“The state has offered unprecedented resources,” Newsom told reporters during a news conference at Dodger Stadium. “I still have 1,971 National Guard (troops) down here. We will do whatever it takes to provide that support for the EPA. They’ve been provided with $175 million, and they need to get it done — pursuant not only to the direction of FEMA, but the direction of the president of the United States himself, who wants to move heaven and Earth to make sure that happens sooner. So the debris removal Phase 1 we want done in the next 30 days.”
On Tuesday, residents were able to submit “Right of Entry” forms to opt in or out of the government clearance program. The forms and more information are available at recovery.lacounty.gov/debris-removal.
Newsom said the Phase 2 debris removal program will not have to wait until the EPA’s work is completely finished. He said as properties are cleared for reentry and after residents complete the Right of Entry form, “they can do debris removal for themselves by a contractor or they can get the support from the Army Corps.”
Newsom added that once the physical debris is removed during Phase 2, “it goes up on a website and then the building permit process begins, so all this happens stacked on top of each other.” Rebuilding starts after Phase 2, he said.
District 5 LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement, “I want to commend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Los Angeles County Public Works for expediting the availability of Right of Entry forms. This is a critical milestone and first step forward towards ensuring wildfire survivors can begin clearing debris and rebuilding their homes without delays.”
Barger said having residents complete the forms now will expedite the removal process once the Corps of Engineers is cleared to move in and begin the clearance work.
“Obtaining signatures for these forms, which indicate private property owners are choosing to opt-in to this program, will ensure the Army Corps can mobilize and quickly begin safe debris removal for impacted property owners,” she said.
“It’s imperative that our county along with collaborating federal and state agencies continue working around the clock to remove barriers and provide the resources needed for a swift recovery,” Barger said. “I am committed to doing everything possible to help our communities heal and quickly rebuild.”
The LA County Public Works Department is at the forefront of the debris-removal process in collaboration with the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers.
On Friday, President Donald Trump toured burned areas in Pacific Palisades, saying afterward that residents should be allowed to immediately access their properties and start to clear debris. Trump challenged the notion that possibly toxic materials remain because the structures were mostly reduced to piles of rubble.
“What’s hazardous waste? You’re going to have to define that,” Trump said. “We’re going to go through a whole series of questions on determining what’s hazardous waste? I just think that you have to allow people to go on their site and start the process tonight.”
EPA officials have said household hazardous wastes — oils, paints, lithium-ion batteries, pesticides, propane tanks and other household items — present a danger to returning residents, particularly if fire damaged the items’ containers.
“President Trump was right to highlight the importance of accelerating recovery work–wildfire survivors should not have to wait 18 months to have their debris cleared,” Barger said, alluding to the president’s several mentions of a possible 18-month delay for homeowners to gain access to their properties.
During an at times contentious public meeting Friday with Trump and local officials, LA Mayor Karen Bass said residents will be allowed to do their own debris removal if they choose, but only when it is safe to do so.
She estimated fire-impacted residents would be allowed to return to their properties “within a week” and that an 18-month wait “will not be the case.”
The Eaton and Palisades wildfires have claimed 29 lives and destroyed tens of thousands of homes. Preliminary estimates indicate it could be among if not the costliest natural disaster in United States history.
Updated Jan. 28, 2025, 2:33 p.m.
