State & Federal Debris Removal Begins this Week in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA…The State of California, in coordination with federal and local partners, is rapidly advancing wildfire cleanup efforts, with structural debris removal from the Eaton and Palisades fires set to begin this week. This marks the fastest large scale debris removal operation in modern state history.

Evening light falls across homes and neighborhoods devastated by the Palisades Fire in areas near Pacific Pallisades, California, Jan. 14, 2025. More than 2,500 National Guard personnel have been called up as part of wildfire response efforts and have been providing aerial and ground firefighting support, security and traffic control, and logisitical support in support of state, and federal authorities. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will begin private property debris removal on Tuesday morning in Altadena and Tuesday afternoon in Pacific Palisades, closely coordinating efforts with local officials.

“The speed of this cleanup is unprecedented, and it’s a testament to local, state, and federal government’s commitment to getting families back on their feet as quickly as possible. We’re cutting through the red tape and working with our partners to ensure that recovery moves at a record pace, helping communities rebuild stronger and more resilient.”

Governor Gavin Newsom

The removal process begins just 35 days after the fires ignited — roughly half the time it took to start similar operations after the devastating 2018 Woolsey Fire.

Under Governor Gavin Newsom’s leadership, California has expedited the cleanup process by cutting red tape and eliminating bureaucratic barriers, allowing highly trained crews to enter impacted communities sooner and help survivors rebuild their lives faster.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, in partnership with six locally affected jurisdictions, has worked around the clock to collect Right-of-Entry (ROE) forms from residents, develop haul routes, and coordinate safe transport of fire ash and debris.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is rapidly completing the removal of households hazardous materials at record speed, clearing the way for this next phase of cleanup.

Last month, Governor Newsom announced that FEMA, working with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), had tasked the EPA with safely removing and disposing of hazardous materials from homes and structures impacted by the fires. This crucial first step—one of the most complex phases of wildfire cleanup — paved the way for the structural debris removal now underway.

As these operations continue, residents should anticipate an increased presence of debris removal teams in their communities and plan accordingly. The agencies involved appreciate the public’s support and patience as crews work to eliminate health and safety risks from impacted properties.

Since the fires began, Governor Newsom has led an aggressive, coordinated, whole-of-government response to support impacted communities. Prior to the fires breaking out, the state had already deployed thousands of firefighters and personnel, with more than 16,000 boots on the ground at the peak of response efforts. In the days that followed, the state launched historic recovery and rebuilding efforts to ensure Los Angeles communities receive the support they need.

Fire survivors can sign up for the federal debris removal program by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) or online at ca.gov/LAFires

14 Responses to "State & Federal Debris Removal Begins this Week in Los Angeles"

  1. Anonymous   February 11, 2025 2:03 am - at 2:03 am

    Debris Removal????????????????
    I thought Trump already left the state……….,,,,,,,,,,,,,

    • Anonymous   February 11, 2025 7:32 am - at 7:32 am

      He did his name was Joe……………..,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

      • Anonymous   February 11, 2025 9:47 am - at 9:47 am

        ^^^Seams like Joe is in your numb skull.

        • Anonymous   February 11, 2025 11:45 am - at 11:45 am

          Talking about “numbskulls” maybe the idiot should look up the word seams?

        • Anonymous   February 11, 2025 1:50 pm - at 1:50 pm

          ^^^ Seams like Trump is in your numb skull.

    • Anonymous   February 11, 2025 2:14 pm - at 2:14 pm

      Another Multi-Billion Dollar company is leaving CA,the worst financially run state in America, for greener pastures. Realtor.com says bye bye CA and HELLO TEXAS thank you for supporting American citizens, law and order, and our Constitution.

  2. Anonymous   February 11, 2025 4:47 am - at 4:47 am

    Thanks to democrat leadership once again cutting back firefighting funding, we have had another disater. Dozens of lives perished, and another tragedy costing Billions of Dollars.

    • Anonymous   February 11, 2025 7:33 am - at 7:33 am

      It’s called the democrat way, more money in there pockets……………..,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

      • Anonymous   February 11, 2025 7:57 am - at 7:57 am

        You don’t have to admit that you were wrong, just that you were lied to

        • Anonymous   February 11, 2025 8:10 am - at 8:10 am

          I don’t think so!

      • Anonymous   February 11, 2025 9:46 am - at 9:46 am

        ^A dumb copycat Trumpster mother fuker…………………….,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
        no original thoughts……………..,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

    • Anonymous   February 11, 2025 9:49 am - at 9:49 am

      I don’t know about “disater”, but I do know about disaster, aka the Trump Presidency.

      • Anonymous   February 11, 2025 11:51 am - at 11:51 am

        Is that why Joe got the knife in the back then booted from the dumbacraps ticket? Then went with with A New Way Forwand into despair, losing the presidential election, the Senate and the House and now the dumbacrap politicians are all crying, complaining and not doing Anything. For. Their. Easily. Manipulated. Voters?

      • Anonymous   February 11, 2025 2:28 pm - at 2:28 pm

        Lmao…Joe Biden, check his record, the worst President in Modern History. He started off day one with a very high approval rating. Then day one as President to his last day in office was his numbers dropped in to the shitter, never once above the floating brown trout and toilet paper the democrats call home.
        As Trump’s numbers gain, democrats in DC run amok not knowing what to do besides calls for violence. It’s not a big wonder why millions of American voters left the lying, corrupt left lovers.

        Enjoy your President democrats, Trump and Elon Musk are cleaning up the waste of over spending and the corrupt left are up in arms, I wonder why?
        hehe hehe
        It’s another beautiful day in the Land of Trump and Elon, isn’t it?