April 22, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

EPA Deems Thousands of Palisades Properties Too Dangerous For Clearing

The deferred properties, which contain conditions too hazardous for standard removal teams, will be addressed in Phase 2 under the oversight of USACE

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed its initial phase of hazardous material removal following the devastating Eaton and Palisades wildfires but determined that thousands of properties remain too hazardous for clearance, deferring them to a second phase of cleanup.

Of the 13,612 residential properties surveyed across the two burn areas, the EPA successfully cleared hazardous materials from 9,201 properties. However, 4,381 properties were deemed unsafe for Phase 1 removal due to persistent hazardous conditions and will require additional remediation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Phase 1 of the cleanup, assigned to the EPA by FEMA, involved the identification and removal of household hazardous waste, including paint, solvents, pesticides, and lithium-ion batteries. More than 1,000 electric vehicle batteries and bulk energy storage systems were extracted from the affected zones.

“The EPA’s ability to complete this essential first phase of the cleanup is due to the dedication of our staff, contractors, and partner agencies,” said Tara Fitzgerald, EPA’s Incident Commander. “We recognize this is just the first step toward recovery, and we will continue to support the process as Phase 2 begins.”

The deferred properties, which contain conditions too hazardous for standard removal teams, will be addressed in Phase 2 under the oversight of USACE. Until these properties are cleared, residents will be unable to rebuild.

The EPA also coordinated with local and state agencies to provide technical assistance for utility restoration and air quality monitoring in the impacted communities. Staging areas were established to temporarily store and process hazardous materials, and post-operation soil sampling will be conducted to ensure no environmental contamination remains.

The January wildfires, which scorched large portions of Los Angeles County, prompted one of the largest wildfire hazardous materials cleanups in EPA history. The agency deployed more than 1,700 personnel to expedite removal efforts, completing Phase 1 operations just 29 days after fieldwork began.

Though its primary mission is complete, the EPA will maintain a limited presence to assist with lithium-ion battery collection during Phase 2.

in Hard, News
<>Related Posts

Building Permit Fees to be Waived for Palisades Fire Victims, Mayor Announces

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

The waived fees and new initiatives build on emergency orders designed to unlock innovation and prioritize getting residents back home...

Revote Planned for Malibu School District Split

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Committee’s Initial Rejection of Malibu’s Petition Faces Procedural Challenge A Los Angeles County committee narrowly voted to reject a proposal...

Lawsuits Allege Insurance Giants Conspired to Undercut California Fire Victims

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Two Lawsuits Accuse Top Carriers of Price-Fixing and Violating Antitrust Laws Attorneys representing homeowners impacted by California’s January wildfires have...

Cali Camp Welcomes Los Angeles Campers

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Roam streams, meadows and oak trees in the heart of rock-lined Topanga Canyon this summer at Cali...

Mayor Karen Bass’ Budget Plan Proposes 1,647 Layoffs Amid $300M Liability Surge

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Civilian LAPD Staff, Transportation, and Sanitation Departments Among Hardest Hit Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed city budget for the upcoming fiscal...

Santa Monica PD Makes Arrest in Ocean Front Walk Stabbing; Second Suspect Sought

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Late-Night Stabbing in Santa Monica Prompts Manhunt After a shocking incident of violence in Santa Monica, a man has been...

City of Malibu Considers Sewer Upgrades in Fire-Prone Beach Zones

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Findings from the Feasibility Study to Be Revealed at Public Meeting The City of Malibu is evaluating more resilient wastewater...

Free Blood Testing For Lead Available for Westside Residents After Wildfires

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

LA County Public Health Urges Residents Near Burn Areas to Get Tested The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health...

(Video) Palisades Residents Reunite Months After Wildfires at ‘Rooted in Resilience’ Event

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Three Months After the Devastating Wildfires, Palisadians Reconnected at Clover Park for a Day of Music, Games, Food and More...

Siblings Stabbed on Santa Monica Beach

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

The stabbing comes amid heightened concerns over nighttime safety at Santa Monica State Beach A brother and sister were hospitalized...

Registration is Open for Harvard-Westlake Summer Programs

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Summer programs at Harvard-Westlake are open for registration.  Participants can experience renowned programs in academics, visual arts,...

Los Angeles City Attorney Sues Over Illegal Rentals, Wildfire Price Gouging

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

City Attorney Seeks Permanent Ban and Millions in Penalties for Operators City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has filed a civil...

Venice Community Housing and Community Corp. of Santa Monica Partner on 20th Street Apartments

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Construction Begins on Eco-Friendly Housing Development in Santa Monica Construction is officially underway on the 20th Street Apartments, a new...

Rents Stay Stable, but Economic Shifts Threaten the Balance

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Tariffs and Tight Supply Could End Flat Rent Streak After more than a year of minimal fluctuation, asking rents, or...

Pali High Students to Resume In-Person Classes at New Downtown Santa Monica Campus

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Santa Monica Welcomes Students With Transportation Help, Safety Measures Santa Monica is preparing to welcome Palisades Charter High School students...