Fire Debris Removal Options for Property Owners

Opt-In

Opt-Out

• The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will remove household hazardous materials, fire debris, hazard trees near the ash footprint, and foundations.
• The County will seek reimbursement for any remaining benefits covered by your policy after you settle your fire debris removal claims with your insurance.

• If you opt out of the government-sponsored fire debris removal program, FEMA will not reimburse any work you perform.
• All costs will be your responsibility. You can work with your insurance company to seek reimbursement up to the amount allowed for debris removal in your policy.

• USACE will handle all the contracting required to remove fire debris.

• You must hire a qualified contractor to remove fire debris and obtain a Fire Debris Removal
• All work must comply with local regulations and requirements.
• For more information on hiring a contractor, visit recovery.lacounty.gov.

• If you choose to have your foundation removed, USACE will remove it at no expense to you.

• If you choose to have your contractor remove your foundation, it will be performed at your expense.
• You will work with your insurance company to get reimbursed up to the amount allowed for debris removal in your policy.

• If you choose to keep your foundation, a structural engineer must assess its suitability for rebuilding.
• Based on the results, you may keep, repair, or remove it at your expense.
• Insurance may reimburse debris removal costs up to your policy limit.

• If you choose to keep your foundation, a structural engineer must assess its suitability for rebuilding.
• Based on the results, you may keep, repair, or remove it at your expense.
• Insurance may reimburse debris removal costs up to your policy limit.

• USACE marks trees that are recommended for removal due to safety concerns. A tree waiver program allows you to designate trees you wish to keep.

• You determine which trees to leave, trim, or remove with your contractor.

• USACE will clear visible fire debris, including chimneys, hazardous trees, ash, up to six inches of soil in the ash footprint, and foundations if specified on the Right of Entry
• It does not cover driveways, additional burned-out trees or shrubs, or California basements/cellars.

• You determine with your contractor what to clean up on your property
• Property owners who opt out are responsible for hiring a private contractor, obtaining necessary permits, and ensuring proper debris disposal by local guidelines.
• All costs will be out-of-pocket for removing hazardous trees near the ash footprint, fire debris, household hazardous materials, foundations, driveways, additional burned-out trees or shrubs, or California basements/ cellars.

• You can work with your insurance company to seek reimbursement for any fire debris removal you handle outside of the USACE’s work.
• Once all of your insurance claims are paid, FEMA requires the County to seek any excess insurance for debris removal from your insurance company.
• Most insurance policies do not allow unused debris removal funds to be applied to rebuilding costs.
• After USACE removes debris, the County will issue a Final Signoff, allowing you to begin rebuilding.

• You are responsible for working with your insurance company to seek reimbursement for any fire debris removal you perform.
• The County will not request reimbursement from your insurance.
• Most policies do not allow unused debris removal funds to be applied to rebuilding costs.
• Once debris removal is completed per the Fire Debris Removal Permit, the County will issue a Completion Certificate, allowing you to begin rebuilding.

• After USACE completes debris removal, the County will provide a Final Signoff for each property, allowing owners to proceed to the rebuilding phase.

• After debris removal is completed according to the Fire Debris Removal Permit, the County will provide a Completion Certificate for each property, allowing owners to proceed to the building phase.