Corps of Engineers

Almost 8,800 property owners have asked the Army Corps of Engineers to direct the cleanup of burned homes.

For those who have opted in, the Army Corps of Engineers is cleaning up properties where structures burned by removing 6 inches of soil in a burn area and transporting it to landfills set aside for toxic soils.

Army Corps of Engineers commanders reported that 4,153 properties across the Eaton and Palisades burn zones had been cleared by Thursday, though the total declared as “complete” is lower because many of the lots still need finishing touches — including the removal of hazardous trees, installation of fencing around pools and application of “hydro-mulch” sealant to prevent erosion.

“The Army Corps of Engineers are heroes in Los Angeles, are heroes in the Palisades,” said Bass, standing alongside Army commanders and Westside Councilmember Traci Park.

Those who opt in to the government program have no direct out-of-pocket costs, though the Army Corps of Engineers will ask insurance companies that cover debris removal to reimburse the government up to the limits of that specific coverage.