The federal agency conducting the debris removal cleanup in the Eaton and Palisades fire zones has expanded the scope of its disaster cleanup in Los Angeles County, and extended a key deadline, giving property owners more time to “opt in” to the cleanup, which allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers right of entry to properties to clear sites for rebuilding, at no cost.
“To allow additional time to collect ROEs from the categories of residential properties identified above, I am extending the deadline for collection of ROEs from affected property owners from March 31, 2025 to April 15, 2025,” wrote Robert Fenton, regional administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, in a letter to Nancy Ward, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s authorized representative at the state’s Emergency Management Agency.
For days, local lawmakers and leaders had descended on both fire footprints, urging property owners to head the previous March 31 deadline, noting that the debris removal of ash and debris from sites comes for free, otherwise such owners will be on the hook for the costs.
U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff made their pleas in the context of battles over federal spending plans. Padilla has noted that FEMA’s funding needs to be “replenished” by Congress in order to continue federal support for disaster recovery.
Schiff, a leader in California’s congressional delegation, who pressed FEMA to extend the deadline for federal disaster assistance, affirmed that he has been “staying on it” to make sure that additional federal funding is on the way for victims.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has been pressing Congress since February to approve $40 billion in fire aid to help Los Angeles recover from the January wildfires.
Responding to a request from L.A. County officials, Fenton also expanded the scope of the cleanup for property types that had previously not been eligible for the debris removal.
Those types now include occupied condominiums, multi-family units, certain commercial properties and mobile homes, according to Fenton.
“Regarding residential commercial properties, I have determined residential commercial properties that contain at least one owner-occupied home will be treated in the same manner as approved residential properties for the entire structure,” Fenton wrote. “This will include most condominium and other multifamily buildings even where there may be a mix of owner-occupied and rental units within the same building.”
He did say that the approval for debris removal does not include multi-family rental properties that are entirely owned by for-profit entities, such as apartment buildings. Those will continue to be treated as commercial properties. Commercial properties, including multi-family rental properties entirely owned by for-profit entities, will continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
As of Wednesday, the county has had 9,756 responses from those who have opted in to the right-of-entry program, and 1,022 from whom have opted out.
By opting in, property owners enable U.S. Army Corps of Engineers teams to enter a property and clean up its ash and debris, preparing for it for the property owner’s rebuild.
The main issues that have deterred people from filling out the form are over insurance concerns, according L.A. County officials.
Because the Army Corps will not be removing hard scapes such as driveways, patios, or specialty features like spas and pools, those removal processes must be contracted out.
Insurance can cover these costs depending on individual eligibility, offficials said this week. They added that some people have delayed opting in or out because they are considering contracting out the entire cleanup process, as opposed to using both the government program and then a contractor later.
Officials estimated about 490 sites have been cleaned up by Army Corps across both burn areas.
Local officials to the governor’s office applauded the extension.
“Altadena residents have been through unimaginable loss in the wake of the Eaton Fire and have been confronted with compounding responsibilities and logistical challenges to begin rebuilding,” Barger said in a statement. “I am thankful to FEMA for extending the deadline for residents to submit their ROE forms so they have more breathing room to fully understand their options and make an informed decision about debris removal.”
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said the extension was vital in the recovery.
“Getting residents home quickly and safely is my top priority,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “I want to thank our partners at FEMA for extending this deadline and expanding the scope of the cleanup effort. In order to continue moving our recovery effort forward months ahead of expectations, I encourage all homeowners impacted by the wildfires to opt in as soon as possible.”
At a glance (from FEMA):
Federal Debris Removal Program Eligibility
-Single-Family Properties
Private, residential single-family properties are eligible.
Homeowners must opt-in to debris removal by submitting an ROE form by the April 15 deadline.
Multi-Family Properties
-Owner Occupied
Each owner of a destroyed unit in a condominium or duplex must submit an ROE form, as well as the homeowner’s association of the building. This allows the county, state, and FEMA to assess the property for eligibility for PPDR.
Residential commercial properties that contain at least one owner-occupied home are eligible for federally funded debris removal.This includes most condominium and some multi-family buildings, even if there is a mix of owner-occupied and rental units within the same building.
-Renter Occupied
Rental units are generally not eligible. The owner of the apartment business is expected to use their insurance and hire a licensed contractor to conduct debris removal. See guidance for commercial properties below.Apartment tenants may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program to help them rent another place to live and/or replace personal property that was destroyed in the fire.
-Commercial Properties
Generally, commercial properties are not eligible for federally funded debris removal.FEMA has limited abilities to fund this cleanup. Commercial property owners should work with their insurance company and begin debris removal as soon as possible.
Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.
If extenuating circumstances exist, businesses owners should communicate them to Los Angeles County.Businesses may also qualify for SBA low interest loans to assist in their recovery and supplement insurance. To apply for an SBA loan, property owners should visit sba.gov/disaster, call 1-800-659-2955, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center or Business Recovery Center. The deadline for submitting an SBA disaster loan application is March 31.
-Public Buildings and Eligible Private Non-Profits
Public applicants and eligible Private Non-Profits (PNPs) that perform an essential service as defined under 44 CFR 206.223 may be eligible for debris removal.
-For more information on debris removal, visit the LA County Debris Removal Website: recovery.lacounty.gov/debris-removal/. You can also call LA County’s Public Works Fire Debris Hotline: 844-347-3332.
Staff writer Gladys Vargas contributed to this report.