Los Angeles-area stakeholders whose properties were destroyed or damaged in the recent wildfires now have until April 15 to request debris removal from a free federal program, officials said Friday.
The previous deadline was Monday for property owners to file right-of-entry forms allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to access their properties and clear fire debris. In recent days officials repeatedly urged residents to submit the forms.
County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose 5th District includes areas devastated in the Eaton Fire, welcomed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to give residents more time to submit ROE forms.
“Altadena residents have been through unimaginable loss in the wake of the Eaton Fire and have been confronted with compounding responsibilities and logistical challenges to begin rebuilding,” Barger said in a statement. “I am thankful to FEMA for extending the deadline for residents to submit their ROE forms so they have more breathing room to fully understand their options and make an informed decision about debris removal. I am also glad FEMA has extended the opportunity to multifamily units to access this important resource. We are on the road to recovery, and these updates will ensure more of our residents get the help they need and deserve.”
Residents who opt out of the program must hire at their own expense private contractors to do remove the debris.
Barger said at a media briefing Friday that debris clearance is required for all properties. Allowing debris to remain is not an option — landowners who don’t take advantage of the free program will be required to have the rubble removed.
For a guide on how to complete right-of-entry forms, visit recovery.lacounty.gov/debris-removal/roe.
Residents can fill out and submit the forms online or at Disaster Recovery Centers at UCLA Research Park West, 10850 W. Pico Blvd. in LA or 540 W. Woodbury Road in Altadena.
Multifamily properties now eligible for free debris removal
FEMA, which is overseeing the wildfire cleanup, on Friday granted Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request to make multifamily properties eligible for the USACE’s free debris removal program.
FEMA-led debris removal typically takes place in public places such as public schools or administrative facilities, but in response to the LA wildfires FEMA’s authority extended to include single family residences “to help mitigate the immediate public health threat and accelerate the economic recovery of impacted communities,” according to an agency statement.
As of Friday, owner-occupied multifamily properties now qualify for free debris removal.
“This includes most condominium and some multifamily buildings, even if there is a mix of owner-occupied and rental units within the same building,” according to a FEMA statement. “Each owner of a destroyed unit in a condominium or duplex must submit an ROE form, as well as the homeowner’s association (with) the building.”
Residential commercial properties with at least one owner-occupied home are also eligible.
“This includes most condominium and some multi-family buildings, even if there is a mix of owner-occupied and rental units within the same building,” the agency reported.
State officials also sought free debris removal for properties associated with businesses and nonprofit organizations.
FEMA denied state officials’ request for eligibility for commercial properties.
“Generally, commercial properties are not eligible for federally funded debris removal,” FEMA officials said. “FEMA has limited abilities to fund this cleanup. Commercial property owners should work with their insurance company and begin debris removal as soon as possible. If extenuating circumstances exist, businesses owners should communicate them to Los Angeles County.”
Business owners may qualify for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to aid fire recovery efforts and supplement funds from insurance companies, officials said. SBA loan applications are available at sba.gov/disaster, by calling 800-659-2955 or at a Disaster Recovery Center.
The deadline for submitting an SBA disaster loan application is Monday, March 31.
The governor’s office on Friday announced that select commercial properties will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if they present an immediate threat to public health and safety, if the commercial property owner faces barriers to completing the debris-removal process and the removal work’s impact on the owner and community.
FEMA officials said apartment tenants may be eligible for the agency’s Individual Assistance program to help them rent another residential unit and replace personal property destroyed in the fire. That program’s application deadline is Monday. Applications are at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or at a Disaster Recovery Center.
“Our federal partners continue to deliver for California,” Newsom said in a statement. “Together, we are going to rebuild Los Angeles in record time while supporting all those who have been impacted.”
The massive wildfires erupted Jan. 7 in Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon in Altadena amid fierce winds and burned through the end of the month. The Palisades and Eaton fires killed 29 people, destroyed or damaged over 18,000 structures and scorched nearly 27,500 acres.
