Debris Removal

Phase 2 of debris removal following the Eaton and Palisades Wildfires involved clearing fire-related debris from private properties, including fire ash, hazardous trees, and structural remains. Property owners had the option to elect to participate in the federally funded, government-sponsored program managed by FEMA or to use the local program, which allowed eligible debris to be removed by a private contractor.

For those who opted into the government-sponsored program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers successfully completed Phase 2 debris cleanup in September 2025. The County has been assigned responsibility for collecting applicable insurance proceeds and will coordinate with insurance providers in early 2026 to ensure that any funds designated for debris removal are properly allocated to the government. For additional details about the insurance collection process, please visit the “Insurance Information” resource page below.

Now that eligible debris has been cleared and property owners begin focusing on the rebuilding phase, it is essential that each property owner retains a copy of their final debris removal documentation for their records.

For participants in the Government-Sponsored Program:
You can download your Final Sign Off (FSO) from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through the “Find Your FSO” database below. To assist in locating your document, please refer to the guide titled “How to Guide: Download Your Final Sign Off (FSO)”.

For participants in the Local Program (Fire Debris Removal Permit – FDR):
You can access your Final Fire Debris Removal Permit Closure by logging into your EPIC-LA account. The document has been uploaded under your permit attachments and can be found within the “Dashboard” or “My Work” tabs.

If you have questions regarding Phase 2 debris removal, please contact the Los Angeles County Public Works Fire Debris Removal Hotline at 844-347-3332.