LOS ANGELES – Unified LA, LA City’s Joint Information Center, is sharing that a required form, known as the Right of Entry Form, for the free debris removal program is now available to residents impacted by the recent Eaton and Palisades fires. Earlier this evening, Mayor Karen Bass, Councilwoman Traci Park, Chief Recovery Officer Steven Soboroff, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, LA County Public Works and other leaders provided updates on reentry, public safety and the debris removal process. This townhall included an overview of the right-of-entry (ROE) forms and the opt-out process for residents.
To participate, residents must complete the Right of Entry form, which is now available to download or complete online at recovery.lacounty.gov/debris-removal and at Disaster Recovery Centers.
The Right of Entry form is part of Phase 2 of the debris removal program where residents can Opt-In for free nonhazardous debris removal by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or residents can Opt-Out. Currently underway is Phase 1 of the debris removal program, which includes the removal of hazardous debris.
To participate in the free service, residents must complete a Right of Entry form by March 31, 2025. The US Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors cannot access a property to conduct the debris removal unless this form is completed.
Residents can call the Fire Debris Hotline with questions, or if they need help filling out the form at: 844-347-3332. In-person assistance also is available at the Disaster Recovery Centers open 9 AM to 8 PM.
The free debris removal program covers property assessment; asbestos removal; tree removal; ash and soil removal; burned debris removal; structural demolition; vehicle removal; erosional control; environmental monitoring; and potential foundation removal.
If You Opt-Out
Residents may also opt out and pay a specialized, approved contractor to remove the remaining fire debris, following all necessary requirements, rules and regulations. Federal and state disaster funding will NOT reimburse you for your debris removal work if you Opt-Out. You must also agree to follow the "Management of Los Angeles County Wildfire Debris" guidelines and specifications for private debris removal if you opt out.
Applications to opt-in and opt-out are available online and in-person at Disaster Recovery Centers locations.
All residents in the Pacific Palisades can now access their properties. See more information on reentry guidance including knowing the risks and ways to keep safe on the City’s lacity.gov website.
Key information for returning residents includes the following:
Escorts are no longer required for entry to evacuation zones.
Checkpoints remain in place and proof-of-residence or entry pass will be required to enter these areas.
Resident and contractor access passes can be obtained 1150 Pacific Coast Highway - Lot 3 in the City of Santa Monica between 10 AM and 5 PM.
Key information for contractors:
Contractors will be allowed in the fire area.
Contractors will be required to provide identification and proof that they have been hired by specific residents within the impacted areas.
Contractors must report to the check-in area (Lot 3) each day to be granted access and will be provided a pass to enter.
Protect yourself from health and environmental hazards:
Wear a tight fitting N95 Mask or greater.
Wear household dishwashing gloves, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Wear safety goggles, not safety glasses.
Do not use leaf blowers or other equipment such as vacuum cleaners that may cause dust particles to be airborne.
Unified Command encourages residents who are re-entering the evacuation area to enter at their own risk and not sort through any fire debris – Know the risks. Stay safe.
EPA Emergency Response Deployed in Burn Areas
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Representatives have been assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to survey, remove, and dispose of hazardous materials from properties burned by wildfires in Los Angeles County. EPA’s work removing hazardous materials is Phase 1 of the federal cleanup response. Further information can be found at epa.gov/california-wildfires.
Hazardous materials from burned properties require special handling and safe disposal by EPA’s cleanup crews. These materials will be sent to licensed disposal facilities (not municipal landfills). The EPA has been assessing and preparing to remove the first phase of debris - hazardous materials such as lithium batteries, asbestos, paints, cleaners and pesticides.
As part of the hazardous material removal work, U.S. EPA has also been tasked to safely remove batteries from electric and hybrid vehicles and home backup power supplies. According to the EPA, lithium-ion batteries should be considered extremely dangerous. For questions about this work or if you have an electric or hybrid vehicle and/or a battery energy storage system in the burn area, call the EPA hotline at 1-833-798-7372, dial 711, or email EPALAWildfiresInfo@epa.gov.
FEMA Resource Centers
In addition to the Disaster Recovery Centers, FEMA will be opening two new locations to provide support for people impacted by the recent fires – including the Hurst, Sunset, and Castaic fires – as they apply for FEMA assistance. The Deadline to Apply For Federal Assistance is March 10, 2025.
Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center
5056 Van Nuys Blvd Building B, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Tuesday - Friday, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center
10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331
Tuesday- Friday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM & Saturday 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Services at these locations are limited to assistance with FEMA applications. FEMA can provide the following types of financial assistance:
Special Needs Assistance Grants – $770 one-time payment to afford immediate needs like food, water, hygiene, and transportation.
FEMA Individual Assistance For Housing – Homeowners can receive FEMA Individual Assistance grants for home repair, replacement, and for temporary housing up to $43,600.
FEMA Individual Assistance For Other Needs – Another $43,600 is available in the form of a grant from FEMA to cover medical expenses, damage to a vehicle, household items/property, funeral expenses, moving/storage, and childcare expenses, etc.
LA Department of Water and Power Palisades Restoration
If you have been allowed to return to your home and find your power out but your immediate neighbors’ electricity is on, please check your electrical panel. If power remains out on your street or block, LADWP crews are still inspecting the power lines that supply power to your street or block to ensure they are safe to restore. Performing the inspections and repairs enables crews to quickly and safely restore power to affected customers once Palisades Fire Unified Command lifts fire holds that are in place on certain power lines, for safety purposes. Allowing power lines to be turned on before it is safe to do so can create a public safety hazard. LADWP remains in close coordination with Unified Command and will continue working to restore power to customers, as clearance is received.
Do Not Drink Notice
Effective January 10, 2025, LADWP issued a Do Not Drink Notice in the zip code 90272 and the LADWP service area immediately south of the 90272 zip code and north of San Vicente Blvd. Check this interactive map to see if your area is affected and learn how it impacts your tap water.
LADWP is providing bottled drinking water to all impacted customers at these locations:
Veteran’s Barrington Park | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM until further notice.
Palisades Branch Library | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM until further notice.
Rustic Canyon Recreation Center | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM until further notice.
Monitor Air Quality
Continue to monitor air quality and wear a N95 mask when ash, smoke, dust is in the air. Explore the Air Quality Map from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) for more details.
Find your local library and recreation center in Los Angeles to pick up free N95 masks.
Progress Toward Containment (as of Tuesday, 6:00 PM)
Palisades Fire is 96% contained – urgent work continues.
Eaton Fire, affecting communities outside the City of Los Angeles, is 99% contained.