PASADENA, Calif. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, together with FEMA and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, today announced that more than 5,000 properties across the Eaton and Palisades burn areas have been cleared of ash and fire debris and received final sign off.
“Debris removal is being completed at a historic pace, thanks to close coordination between county, state, and federal partners along with support from the President and his administration," said FEMA Region 9 Administrator Bob Fenton. "Safety continues to be a top priority as we work to accelerate the remainder of the debris removal operation and help survivors move towards recovery.”
Final sign off indicates that debris removal is completed, hazardous trees have been removed, hydromulch and erosion control is in place, and the Right of Entry has been returned to Los Angeles County.
“In just three months since we began debris removal operations, to reach 5,000 completed properties is astonishing and a testament to the partnership necessary to pull off a mission of this scale,” said Brig. Gen. William Hannan, commander of the USACE Task Force Phoenix. “This feat represents the completion of about half of the eligible properties we are charged to clear. There’s much work left to go, but our teams continue to deliver, providing these survivors the first steps toward rebuilding.”
“Reaching this milestone in record time shows the great progress we can make working together,” said Cal OES Director Nancy Ward. “We will continue to collaborate with our local and federal partners to bring the community the resources needed to recover and rebuild.”
An additional 2,500 properties have been cleared of debris across the fire areas and are in the process of receiving final sign off. More than 2 million tons of debris have been removed to date.
In addition to residential properties, FEMA has mission assigned USACE to clear a number of properties in the Special Inclusion program, to include some places of worship, private schools, owner-occupied multifamily homes, non-profit organizations, parks, and community centers.
USACE is conducting Phase 2 Private Property Debris Removal under direction of FEMA in coordination with CAL OES and the County of Los Angeles. More than 200 USACE personnel are currently deployed in the area to support the largest fire debris removal mission in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers history.