Fire Debris Removal Program

What are the stages of the next cleanup?

Debris removal is broken down into two phases:

Phase 1: Household Hazardous Waste Removal

Phase 1 is the removal of household hazardous waste (HHW) for maepa.gov/ca/2025-california-wildfiresterials that may pose a threat to human health, animals, and the environment such as batteries, asbestos siding, propane tanks, and paints. Phase 1 is mandatory for all destroyed and heavily damaged properties. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to survey, remove, and dispose of hazardous materials from properties burned by the Eaton wildfire in Pasadena. There is no cost to the property owner for this service. It is not known at this time when this work will begin. We will post updates as we receive them.  For additional information, please visit the EPA's Wildfire Response Page.

Phase 2: Private Debris Removal

Phase 2 is the removal of the remaining structural ash and debris as well as soil testing to ensure the site is clean, safe for rebuilding, and free of potentially leached toxins. Phase 2 cleanup can only begin after the Phase 1 is complete. As of January 23, 2025, the Army Corp of Engineers has been missioned for Phase 2 as the lead agency.

• Option A : Residential property owner may elect to participate in the government sponsored program. There is no cost to the property owner for this service.
• Option B: An affected property owner may elect to complete the debris removal and property remediation by hiring qualified and licensed private contractors and consultants at their own cost to perform the cleanup work. An application and workplan must be approved prior to the commencement of work.