U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Emergency Field Office-Eaton commander, Col. Sonny Avichal, proudly announced on March 26, 2025, that a significant milestone has been reached with the clearing of 1,000 properties impacted by the Eaton Canyon Fire in Altadena California.

U.S. Army Corps of engineers contractors begin debris removal at a parcel along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, March 24, 2025. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners, is working safely and quickly to remove wildfire ash and debris from nearly 13,600 homes, paving the way for community rebuilding efforts. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers video by Christopher Rosario)

COL Swenson urges those effects by the Los Angeles Wildfires to opt in to Phase 2 of debris removal before the deadline of March 31st.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors secure themselves with ropes below a home as they work to clear debris from a wildfire-damaged site in Pacific Palisades, California, on March 19, 2025. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners, is working diligently to remove hazardous materials and clear sites, paving the way for community rebuilding efforts. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers video by Christopher Rosario)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors clear fire ash and debris from the wildfire-damaged Palisades Elementary Charter School in Pacific Palisades, California, on March 19, 2025. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is leading Phase 2 of wildfire debris removal, ensuring environmental stability and community safety in coordination with FEMA and local partners. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers video by Christopher Rosario)

Scenes from the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires in Altadena—devastation and resilience in the face of nature's fury.

Local Los Angeles arborist assists the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in identifying trees on parcels that could be a potential hazard in Altadena, CA on March 16th, 2025. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners, is working diligently to remove hazardous materials and clear sites, paving the way for community rebuilding efforts. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers video by Corey Lanier)

Local Los Angeles arborist assists the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in identifying trees on parcels that could be a potential hazard in Altadena, CA on March 16th, 2025. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners, is working diligently to remove hazardous materials and clear sites, paving the way for community rebuilding efforts. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers video by Corey Lanier)

Footage of water flowing in the streets of Altadena, California, on Feb. 13, 2025, near homes burned in the L.A. Fires. The heavy rains temporarily slowed debris removal work by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.