Officials Push For 30-Day Timeline For Hazmat Removal At Fire-Impacted Homes

LOS ANGELES, CA — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin removing debris from properties impacted by the recent wildfires after officials opened up applications for free-of-charge cleanups on Tuesday. Meantime, Gov. Gavin Newsom says he wants that work completed within a month.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of removing hazardous wastes, such as oils, paints, lithium-ion batteries, pesticides and propane tanks, from fire-impacted areas. After properties are cleared of that waste, property owners can either opt to have the Army Corps clear out the remaining debris — at no cost to them — or hire private contractors do do that work, officials said.

On Tuesday, "right of entry" forms were made available online. Property owners who wish to use the Army Corps services' must fill them out before March 31, according to county Public Works Director Mark Pestrella.

Over 600 forms were submitted within a day, authorities said Wednesday.

Authorities have stressed that the EPA must complete its hazardous-materials removal work before physical debris removal can begin on a property by property basis.

State officials and FEMA sent a letter to the EPA calling for the agency to complete its hazardous materials work within 30 days — not the original 60 days that was estimated, according to Newsom.

On Friday, President Donald Trump took a tour of the Palisades Fire burn area, and said later that residents should be allowed to immediately access their properties to clear debris — dismissing the idea that anything hazardous remains since the homes were largely reduced to rubble.

EPA, state and local officials, however, say the remains of batteries, pesticides and other chemicals pose a danger to returning residents.

"The state has offered unprecedented resources," Newsom told reporters during a news conference at Dodger Stadium. "I still have 1,971 National Guard (troops) down here. We will do whatever it takes to provide that support for the EPA. They've been provided with $175 million, and they need to get it done — pursuant not only to the direction of FEMA, but the direction of the president of the United States himself, who wants to move heaven and Earth to make sure that happens sooner. So the debris removal ... we want done in the next 30 days."

City News Service contributed to this report.