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What happens to all the debris after the massive wildfires? The cleanup process is a complex one

January 17, 2025

By Amancai Biraben, correspondent

How will all the tons of debris left behind by Los Angeles County’s unprecedented wildfires be dealt with? Where will it go? The answer is complicated, but the process is coming together and much of the work is under way.

Aiming to stem the flow of toxic materials in the aftermath of the deadly fires, top county Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis issued an order prohibiting residents from cleaning up debris from critical fire areas, including Pacific Palisades and Altadena — until a hazardous materials inspection is completed by approved agencies.

The order arrived almost a week after Davis declared a health emergency due to the fire and demonstrated the complexity of the task of cleaning up the aftermath of the devastating fires and the fierce windstorms that propelled them.

As county fire crews continue to put out the wildfires, ashen debris lies where thousands of homes once stood and dry brush downed by the wind lingers all over the region.

The fires damaged or destroyed more than 10,000 structures, including homes and vehicles, spread over 40,000 acres.

High winds swept a year’s worth of green waste into residential and city pathways in just two days.

“Recovery from these unprecedented and devastating wildfires will be challenging,” said Lisette Guzman of the county Department of Public Works.

Guzman added that the department will soon have a hotline to address questions about debris.

Fire debris, ash and fire-razed dirt from residential and structural fires may contain asbestos, heavy metals and other hazardous substances, according to Public Health officials. Exposure to those toxic substances can occur through inhaling ash and fire dust particles, contact with skin or contamination of drinking water supplies.

Chris Tragos examines what was once an outdoor light sconce as he roots through the rubble of what's left of his family's 1927 Spanish-style home on Boedoin Street in Pacific Palisades. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) — Chris Tragos examines what was once an outdoor light sconce as he roots through the rubble of what’s left of his family’s 1927 Spanish-style home on Boedoin Street in Pacific Palisades. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Improper handling or disposal of fire debris can increase these risks, spreading hazardous substances throughout the community and endangering workers, residents and the environment.

In L.A. County, removal of fire debris will be conducted in a two-phase process. The first phase launched Thursday — a sweeping hazardous materials assessment of all burned properties by the county Fire Health & Hazardous Materials Certified Unified Program Agency. State and federal agencies are also helping with that huge task.

The assessment will help create the fire debris cleanup process required for each of the individual parcels or areas.

The second phase will be the actual fire debris cleanup, removal and disposal — operated by the state and federal agencies.

Property owners will be contacted individually. They can opt into the government cleanup — or hire contractors to do their cleaning up, based on the initial, first-phase assessment. Property owners must receive approval and follow applicable laws regarding fire debris and hazardous waste cleanup and disposal, county officials said.

Davis’ order applies exclusively to the cleanup or removal of fire debris and does not restrict the removal of personal property from residential sites. The order also covers the areas of the Kenneth, Creek, Hurst, and Lidia fires.

What is defined as fire debris? That includes:

Burned building materials such as wood, metal and concrete;
Burned household items;
Pieces of the building’s foundation; and
Fire-contaminated soil found around burned structures or affected areas, which may contain harmful substances.

County health officials warned: Residents who return to their affected properties for belongings should wear personal protection equipment, including masks and gloves, to limit contact with toxins.

FEMA officials appointed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to oversee the toxic cleanup arm of the endeavor.

Tara Fitzgerald, on-scene coordinator for the EPA, said the agency planned to begin their first phase on Thursday. That included an expanded effort to remove pesticides, batteries, fuel and other things that would otherwise go to a household hazardous waste management landfill.

With the Pacific Ocean in the background, dozens of Pacific Palisades homes are piles of rubble on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

L.A. Department of Public Works Director Mark Pestrella said his department will help remove remaining debris on those sites.

Pestrella and his team are also developing a system to capture debris flow anticipated when winter storms arrive.

“We expect massive debris-laden flows when it rains. Our system of flood control is designed to handle that debris, along with the streets,” said Pestrella.

Where will all the debris go?

Officials have not yet identified where all the fire rubble, green waste and other debris will be taken after it is all collected. In past disasters, however, it has gone to landfills, recycling centers and lumber yards.

Beyond the fire-rubble cleanup, another concern facing cleanup crews is the wind-scattered brush that remains, much of it left behind by the storms that wreaked havoc before spreading the destructive wildfires.

Stacks of leaves, branches and pinecones left on roadsides, vacant lots, wild areas and other sites have left residents worried that, in addition to being unsightly, they will offer more kindling to the high winds predicted in days ahead.

Michael Rothe, who works at a hospital in Duarte, said he has passed stacks of plant matter for the past week on his way to and from work.

Rothe said he was worried about “these piles of dry pine needles and almost combustible plant material,” because such material burned swiftly during the major wildfires and helped create embers scattered around the region by record-setting winds.

“The city has made debris cleanup its utmost priority. City staff and its contractors have been working around the clock, including working overnight, to systematically remove debris in high-risk areas,” said Duarte’s assistant to the city manager, Andres Rangel, in response to such concerns.

Cities including Duarte and Pasadena say they are working to clear such waste and are also asking residents for their assistance, too.

In Pasadena, officials asked residents to gather up green debris in their yard waste containers and place them along the curb. They also urged people to avoid using plastic bags that can catch in waste-collection trucks’ shredder blades. They warned not to gather brush beyond the width of a single parked car.

Rangel said Duarte has partnered with trash haulers to form drop-off sites for tree debris on private property. Residents can also take their debris straight to the Duarte Civic Center parking lot.

The cleanup situation will likely evolve over the days and weeks ahead. Residents throughout the county to visit recovery.lacounty.gov for updates.

City News Service contributed to this report

What happens to all the debris after the massive wildfires? The cleanup process is a complex one Orange County Register

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What happens to all the debris after the massive wildfires? The cleanup process is a complex one

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