Army Corps of Engineers launches tracker for fire debris removal

An online map for fire victims that tracks real-time updates on debris removal in areas devastated in Los Angeles wildfires is now available from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Corps is doing Phase 2 of the debris removal process — with direction by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in coordination with the state and LA County — and the interactive map is available on the webpage for Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Wildfire Debris Removal Mission. The online viewer allows property owners to track the progress of cleanup efforts on specific parcels via a color-coded system displaying all assigned parcels, active cleanup and completed work, as well as properties that do not have submitted entry forms.

“Transparency and timely information are critical as we work to safely and quickly remove wildfire debris,” Col. Eric Swenson, commander of the USACE Los Angeles Wildfires Recovery Field Office, said in a statement Monday. “This new viewer gives residents a clear picture of where their property stands in the Phase 2 process, reinforcing our commitment to keeping the community informed every step of the way.”

The removal work, which began Feb. 11, involves clearing ash and burned structures as well as building foundations at homeowners’ request.

Contractors hired by the Corps of Engineers will move secured material directly from destroyed properties to landfills permitted by CalRecycle to accept such debris. The Corps has worked with the California Department of Transportation and fire-impacted municipalities to decide on haul routes with the intention of minimizing potential environmental impacts “for those who have reoccupied their homes and for unaffected communities,” officials said.

The Corps uses “strict procedures” for debris removal from private properties, officials said.

“When removing fire ash and debris, the material is placed in the bed of a dump truck inside a heavy-duty plastic liner,” according to a Corps statement. “This liner is tightly wrapped around the ash, after which a tarp is then lowered over the truck to ensure the ash remains contained during transit.

“The Army Corps of Engineers also utilizes the ‘wet method’ for debris removal, which involves applying water and mist to keep ash on the ground and prevent it from becoming airborne,” the statement continued. “This approach helps mitigate risks to the community, particularly for standing homes that have been reoccupied.”

Corps officials expect all eligible properties enrolled into the program by the March 31 deadline will be cleared to rebuild by January 2026, with most work completed well before then.

Wildfire-affected residents may submit right of entry forms to authorize debris removal at their properties via recovery.lacounty.gov or at a Disaster Recovery Center.

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