Disaster Related Debris Removal

DEBRIS REMOVAL

The LA County Recovers page Debris Removal – LA County Recovers outlines the points below and details how the Department of Public Works (DPW) is partnering with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to assess and remove hazardous and other fire-related debris from impacted properties.

• Phase 1 Hazardous Waste Removal provided free of charge by the EPA
• Phase 2 General Debris Removal Options (for properties with destroyed structures)*
• Right of Entry Forms (RoE) available starting 1/28 to "opt in" or "opt out" for the Army Corps of Engineers to perform clean-up work.  

For questions related to:

• Debris removal, call the USACE Debris Call Center at (213) 308-8305 Monday through Sunday, 6:00am to 6:30pm
• Opt-in help, call (844) 347-3332, Monday through Sunday, 7am to 7pm
• Opt-out help, call (888) 479-7328, Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm

*The scope of the debris removal program has expanded to include condominiums and multi-family buildings that have at least ONE unit that is occupied by the OWNER.

Property owners that have opted in and submitted a Right of Entry Form can monitor real-time updates of their parcel status online at LA County RoE Status Dashboard.

Property owners who have already opted in to the government program can withdraw their RoE by submitting this form.

Hazardous Tree Waiver

A hazardous tree removal waiver has been established for property owners participating in the federally funded Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program who wish to retain specific trees on their property. This waiver allows owners to retain certain trees identified by a professional arborist to be hazardous (see Hazardous Tree Markings for more information). Completed waivers should be submitted in person to the Corps of Engineers’ contractor during their site visit. 

THE DEADLINE TO PARTICIPATE IS April 15, 2025.

If you need help filling out your RoE form or have additional questions, please call the LA County Public Works Fire Debris Hotline at 844-347-3332 or email PalisadesFire@dpw.lacounty.gov or EatonFire@dpw.lacounty.gov.  

You may also visit a Disaster Recovery Center for in-person assistance, Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

OPT-OUT PERMIT

Property owners who choose to hire private contractors for fire debris removal at their own expense must submit an "Opt Out Permit", available at EPICLA.lacounty.gov. This permit allows home and business owners, and their authorized private contractors, to manage their own debris removal efforts while ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal safety and environmental standards.

Updated LA County Health Officer Order

Los Angeles County Department of Health revised their Order of the Health Officer on March 24, 2025. Property owners who select private debris removal must comply with the updated order that prohibits the unsafe removal, transport, and disposal of fire debris.

More information is available online at DPH Fire Safety and Health Information.

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL REMOVAL FAQ

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has been assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to survey, remove, and dispose of hazardous materials from properties impacted by the fires. This work is free to residents and is already underway with assistance from the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and local agencies.

For additional information please visit:

https://www.epa.gov/ca/2025-california-wildfires

Hope Crisis Response Network (HCRN) LA Wildfire Clean up and Repair Assistance

Impacted residents in Malibu, Topanga, Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre may be eligible for clean up and repair services . For additional information or to apply visit, https://www.hcrn.info/la-fire-assistance/