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County reports 80% enrollment in post-fire debris programs; tree removal not yet under way
Summary
County staff reported roughly 80% enrollment in Park and Thompson fire debris programs with about 94 of 435 properties un-enrolled; the state has not yet started large-scale tree removal and the county is awaiting clarity on whether the state will cover its 25% cost share.
County staff updated the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11 about Park and Thompson fire recovery operations, enrollment in debris-removal programs, and next steps for tree removal.
Danielle Newsome, deputy CAO for recovery, said 435 properties were required to enroll in one of the recovery programs and that about 94 properties had not yet done so. Newsome said roughly half of the outstanding properties are "tree only" parcels added after a later windshield survey. She said the state-led debris removal operation has not yet begun large-scale tree removal; the state is focusing on structural debris and will stand up tree removal when it is about one-third complete on debris removal.
Newsome also said CalRecycle will serve as the abatement contractor for properties that fail to enroll by the county deadline; county recovery staff are conducting outreach and planned another community meeting for Feb. 19 to explain options. "We continue to socialize and conduct outreach," she said.
Board members asked about cost-sharing and where debris would be placed. Newsome and recovery staff said the county currently is responsible for a 25% share of some costs and that the county has formally requested the state to take a larger share but has not yet received approval; if the state later agrees to pay more, the state would reimburse the county. Structural ash and debris are being staged at the Veil Road facility; vegetation and green waste will go to separate processing sites.
Supervisor questions also covered insurance: county staff said roughly 60% of affected homeowners were known to be insured at the time of the report. The board did not take further formal action; staff will continue outreach and execute the state-directed abatement process for properties that do not enroll.
