Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Wildfire Debris Removal Reaches 5,000 Property Milestone

[Photo credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Headquarters]

Joint federal-state effort clears half of eligible properties in three months

Federal and state agencies have cleared more than 5,000 properties of wildfire debris across the Eaton and Palisades burn areas in Los Angeles County. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) announced the milestone achievement on May 20, marking a critical step toward recovery for thousands of wildfire survivors.

“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. These completed properties represent approximately half of all eligible properties slated for clearance.

“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.”

An additional 2,500 properties have been cleared 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.

“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.”

Beyond residential properties, FEMA has mission assigned USACE to clear properties in the Special Inclusion program, including places of worship, private schools, owner-occupied multifamily homes, nonprofit organizations, parks, and community centers.

More than 200 USACE personnel are currently deployed to support what officials describe as the largest fire debris removal mission in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers history. USACE is conducting Phase 2 Private Property Debris Removal under FEMA’s direction in coordination with CAL OES and Los Angeles County.