Seven months after the devastating wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles, the swift cleanup initiative has been hailed by politicians as the fastest of its kind in American history. However, homeowners who lost their properties voice a different narrative, expressing dissatisfaction with the cleanup process, alleging that proper procedures were overlooked, and the quality of work was inadequate.
According to the governor’s office, out of the 12,048 properties destroyed in the fires, 9,873 chose to participate in the government-sponsored cleanup program, while 1,982 took it upon themselves to manage the cleanup. The initial six months saw debris cleared from 9,195 properties, with additional sites still pending erosion control measures and official approval.
In a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, staff writer Tony Briscoe highlighted troubling statistics indicating that from March to mid-May, over 800 complaints were lodged with a U.S. Corps of Engineers’ hotline dedicated to overseeing debris removal. Approximately one-third of these concerns focused on failures in the required cleanup protocols.
The Corps of Engineers is leading the cleanup efforts in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and various state and local partners, including the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the county, and the city. Currently, they have transitioned to what is termed Phase 2 of the cleanup, which involves site assessment, while Phase 1 was exclusively focused on debris removal. Nevertheless, Briscoe notes that numerous complaints highlight inconsistent and careless work from the federal contractors assigned to debris removal tasks.
While areas across Altadena and Pacific Palisades were turned into ash heaps, there was hope that cleanup operations would leave homeowners with pristine, rebuild-ready lots. Unfortunately, victims have reported that cleanup efforts were often limited to the building’s footprint—basically the outer walls of the structure—leaving large portions of their properties overlooked. Some victims are also raising alarms about debris left behind, including car parts, remnants of fire-damaged foundations, hazardous trees, and contaminated pool water.
Another pressing concern looms over the remnants of burned homes: harmful toxins. The rubble contains arsenic, lead, mercury, asbestos, and other hazardous materials like burnt propane tanks and household chemicals.
In May, soil tests conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revealed elevated levels of lead and other toxic metals at several homes destroyed in the January wildfires and subsequently cleared by the federal cleanup teams. Protocol dictates that up to six inches of topsoil be removed during the cleanup, but there were noted failures, including a lack of remediation of ash-laden soil beyond the building footprints and failure to excavate to the required depths established by the Army Corps.
A staggering 27 percent of soil samples taken by Roux Associates Inc.—hired by the county health department—indicated lead levels exceeding California’s state standards for residential properties in the areas affected by the Eaton burn.
Recovery and reconstruction after a major disaster is an arduous task that can take several years and demands cooperation across multiple government levels. Nonetheless, past experiences underline the critical importance of local leadership, which often provides unique insights into the needs and dynamics of their communities. Such local involvement is indispensable in both response and recovery frameworks.
While substantial effort has been put forth, the Times article’s mention of 800 homeowner complaints should serve as a wake-up call to city councilmembers and county supervisors. Currently, steady local leadership and accountability appear to be essential in navigating the cleanup process. A previously suggested leadership model could be beneficial; it involves experienced individuals acting independently to address issues overlooked by state and federal agencies, thus directing better outcomes through local departments.
It’s crucial to recognize that any shortcomings in the cleanup can result in serious repercussions later on. An immediate, diligent, and scientific approach to addressing the toxin concerns is imperative.
To accelerate the rebuilding process, the governor has issued an executive order that suspends local permitting laws and building codes for homes and schools affected by the fires. However, even as we prepare to shift our focus toward rebuilding, it is paramount to ensure that all safety standards are met, so that fire victims are not further victimized by bureaucratic inefficiencies.
image source from：citywatchla
