EPA Completes Phase 1 of Los Angeles Wildfire Hazardous Waste Cleanup

The agency cleared hazardous materials from over 9,200 properties in record time, paving the way for structural debris removal and rebuilding efforts.

• The EPA completed Phase 1 of the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup in 28 days, one day ahead of the 30-day deadline set by a Trump executive order.
• Cleanup efforts focused on hazardous waste removal from 13,612 properties, with 9,201 cleared and the remaining deferred to Phase 2 led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• The Palisades and Eaton wildfires, California's largest in history, burned over 37,500 acres and destroyed nearly 16,400 structures, leaving thousands homeless.
• Hazardous materials removed included lithium-ion batteries, propane tanks, and household chemicals, totaling 300 tons of debris safely disposed of by the EPA.
• California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the start of Phase 2, which will address structural debris removal to enable rebuilding efforts in affected communities.

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