There’s still time to ‘opt in’ to Army Corps’ wildfire debris removal – but the clock is ticking
There’s still time to ‘opt in’ to Army Corps’ wildfire debris removal – but the clock is ticking
LOS ANGELES — Gov. Gavin Newsom and county Supervisor Lindsey Horvath reminded wildfire-affected residents again today that Tuesday, April 15, is the deadline to opt in to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ free fire debris-removal program.
The deadline for residents to file “Right of Entry” forms allowing the federal agency to access their properties and clear fire debris was originally March 31, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency extended the deadline until April 15.
Residents impacted by the fires must file the forms to either opt in or out of the USACE free debris-removal program. Residents who opt out of the program will have to hire private contractors to conduct the removal work, at their own expense. Officials have stressed that homeowners who opt out of the program will be required to have the debris removed from their properties.
According to Newsom’s office, more than 1,700 properties have already been fully cleared of debris, but much more work remains.
“We are throwing everything we have at this cleanup to get people back in their homes quickly,” Newsom said in a statement. “The fast pace of this recovery makes it even more important to sign up today.”
Information on how to complete the forms is available online at recovery.lacounty.gov/debris-removal/roe. The forms can be completed online, or at Disaster Recovery Centers located at the UCLA Research Park West, 10850 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, or in Altadena at 540 W. Woodbury Road.
Horvath said Friday there are still about 500 property owners who have not filed ROE forms, and “we need to hear from you.”
“Even if you’re opting out, we need to know which steps you are taking so we can coordinate a swift and safe debris-removal process,” Horvath said.
The debris-removal program had been limited to residential homes, but FEMA notified the state last month that it was being expanded to include owner-occupied condominiums, multi-family residential properties and select commercial properties which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, according to the governor’s office.
Commercial properties will be evaluated on criteria including whether they present an immediate threat to public health and safety, if the commercial property owner faces barriers to completing the debris-removal process and the economic impact of the debris removal on the owner and community.
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