Before any rebuilding can begin for those affected by the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires, the first task is clearing away the rubble of what once stood: piles of charred, hazardous, and potentially explosive debris from their homes and belongings.
Right now, the pressing concern isn’t about when rebuilding might start; it’s about how long it’ll take to clear all that debris. After a recent tour of Pacific Palisades, President Trump was skeptical about the 18-month timeline that some residents reported hearing from officials. However, Mayor Karen Bass was quick to counter, assuring that the cleanup won’t stretch out that long.
She’s likely more accurate, though this effort certainly won’t wrap up in just a few days, as both Trump and the affected residents hopeful imagine.
In Altadena, approximately 6,100 homes were incinerated, with another estimate of 5,500 swallowed by the fires in the Palisades, impacting Pacific Palisades, sections of Malibu, and adjacent coastal communities.
Everyone is eager to have their properties cleared yesterday. Yet, no one wants to deal with the aftermath. Folks in the San Gabriel Valley, particularly near Lario Park where toxic waste from Eaton Canyon will be temporarily housed, are furious about the debris being transported their way. Meanwhile, the debris from the Palisades fire has a destination near Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Col. Eric Swenson of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is supervising the more extensive Phase 2 debris removal, noted that this step would take “less than a year.” L.A. County Public Works is also involved in managing the cleanup operations.
There’s no set date for when this massive task will conclude, as calculating an exact timeline would be difficult and speculative at best.
L.A. County and city officials are striving to ensure each phase progresses efficiently. Meanwhile, residents can take actions to hasten debris removal.
Clearing debris is no small feat.
The initial phase, which is handled exclusively by the Environmental Protection Agency, involves safely removing hazardous materials like paints, cleaners, car batteries, and other batteries. The duration will vary by property. L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who represents the Palisades among her districts and is a key figure in the recovery effort, explains that some properties may contain complex setups or large quantities of art supplies.
The EPA, initially planning a three-month timeline, has accelerated this to one month due to pressure from the Trump administration and local authorities, according to Horvath. Some properties will see their debris cleared in the coming weeks. Residents seeking more details can contact the EPA wildfire hotline at 833-798-7372.
The next phase addresses the removal of structural remains, foundations, recyclable metals, hazardous trees, and the top 6 inches of soil within the burn area. According to Swenson of the Army Corps of Engineers, this could range from two to ten days per property. Homeowners have the option of hiring private contractors, which may prove expensive especially if insurance doesn’t cover it, or they could utilize the Corps of Engineers, who provide this service for free. Homeowners must submit a Right of Entry form by March 31, choosing either the Corps’ service or a private route. These forms are accessible online and at Disaster Recovery Centers. The quick submission of these forms translates to quicker action from the county and subsequently, the Corps.
Residents can help expedite Phase 2 debris removal by collaborating with their neighbors. Officials recommend that whole blocks or neighborhoods decide together whether to use the corps or go with private contractors. “Everyone needs to determine their best course of action,” says Horvath, encouraging a collective community effort for efficiency’s sake. Mark Pestrella, leading the county Department of Public Works, and other officials urge residents to consider the Army Corps for this task.
Better coordination means faster debris clearance. “Having 20 different households hire 20 different contractors simultaneously in one neighborhood could cause chaos,” Horvath notes.
This recovery process isn’t simple or as swift as desired, but ensuring it’s both safe and efficient is key. The cleanup is an unfortunate but essential step towards renewal in the Palisades and Altadena.
