Los Angeles County outlines two‑phase debris removal and flood protections as rain nears fire zones

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County supervisors and federal partners on Thursday described a two‑phase program for removing hazardous household materials and fire debris from communities burned in recent wildfires, and outlined flood‑protection steps being deployed ahead of forecast rain.

Chair Catherine Barger said county public works is leading a consolidated debris removal program for areas impacted by the fires and that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to lead the larger phase 2 removal. “LA County Public Works will be the lead agency on debris removal countywide for all areas impacted by fires,” Barger said.

Why it matters: officials warned that ash and burned debris can contain asbestos, heavy metals and other toxic materials; rain could mobilize that material into streets, drains and waterways and pose public‑health and safety risks. The county and its federal partners described steps to stabilize slopes, keep sediment on site, and process hazardous waste before any bulk debris is removed.

County and federal roles and the opt‑in process The county, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers described a two‑step cleanup. EPA is conducting “phase 1,” the removal of household hazardous materials such as paints, batteries, propane tanks and fire‑damaged lithium‑ion batteries. Col. Eric Swenson, recovery field office commander for the Army Corps, said “phase 2” will be private‑property debris removal (PPDR) carried out after hazardous materials are cleared.

Swenson explained that residents who want federal removal will sign a right‑of‑entry (ROE) form. “ROE...is the legal document that residents...will sign allowing the federal government and my agency with our…