Altadena Debris Removal Two Days From Completion in Eaton Fire Zone, County Shifts to Rebuilding Phase

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Monday it has completed debris removal on 99% of private properties affected by the Eaton Fire and will conduct its final private-property mission Thursday at 4 p.m. on Fair Oaks Drive. Rep. Judy Chu, FEMA’s regional administrator and local officials are expected to attend.

Remediation work at the Altadena Golf Course is scheduled to begin within seven days and take up to 10 weeks, with mid-November targeted for completion.

As of Monday morning, the Corps reported receiving 5,649 rights-of-entry, clearing 5,619 properties and returning 5,561 to county control. Fewer than 15 properties remain. Special projects are also advancing: the Elliot school rebuild is about 70% complete, and air operations to reach Forest Service cabins in the upper canyon are scheduled to begin Aug. 18 and finish by the first week of September.

County officials framed the update as a pivot to rebuilding.

The Department of Public Works said it has logged 1,385 rebuild applications, cleared 982 zoning reviews, moved 587 properties into building-plan review and issued 169 permits covering 124 parcels, including 128 new residential units. The department cited an average of 62 business days from initial submittal to permit issuance for new residential projects and reiterated its expedited review goals of 10 business days for initial reviews and five for rechecks.

Two rule changes were highlighted for homeowners: South Coast AQMD will allow one-to-one replacement of pre-fire wood-burning fireplaces, and a July 7 executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom suspends the immediate installation requirement for rooftop solar and battery storage on rebuilds. Projects must still be “solar-ready,” reserving 250 square feet of roof area, wall space for future equipment, conduit routing and a 200-amp service panel with breaker space. Written guidance will be posted on the LA County Recovers website.

On housing and consumer issues, the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs said emergency eviction protections for qualified fire-impacted tenants expired July 31. Tenants must resume normal payments and have 12 months to repay covered back rent. Late fees and interest from the protected period are prohibited. Price-gouging protections for essential goods and services remain in effect through January 2026.

Temporary-housing protections, including short-term rentals, run through August 2025; the Board of Supervisors is set to consider a 30-day extension. State protections for long-term hotel or motel stays by fire victims extend through Oct. 1. DCBA said it now has enforcement authority under the county ordinance.

In public safety updates, Ethan Marquez was officially named captain of the Altadena Sheriff’s Station, ending his acting status. Marquez announced a trespass-mitigation program offering temporary fencing during rebuilds. Donations to date cover 200 homes through partnerships with Team Rubicon, the supervisor’s office, community groups and a retailer. Sign-ups are posted on the station’s social media, and a non-social-media option for seniors will be available next week. Marquez also promoted an Aug. 23 morning bus-pull fundraiser and a Jan. 4 community 10K/5K.

The Department of Mental Health said it is maintaining on-site services at the Altadena Community Center and running Psychological First Aid classes at Loma Alta Park through Nov. 29. Classes are held Tuesdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and Thursdays and Saturdays from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Dr. Lisa Wong said the goal is to equip residents to help one another during recovery, adding that people “don’t have to deal with this alone.” Helplines, including 988, remain available 24/7, and a Resiliency Center is planned.

During a brief Q&A, county fire officials advised residents to report nonfunctional hydrants to their water company or to a local fire station captain, who can escalate repairs. Five water providers serve the rebuild area. Public Works clarified that accessory dwelling units can share the main address unless they have separate driveway or street access.

The supervisor’s office also announced a $1 million small-business initiative with Bank of California via LiftFund.com, offering grants up to $50,000 to fire-impacted firms. The application portal opened Aug. 11. Beginning Aug. 18, weekly community meetings will be shortened to 4–4:30 p.m. and will no longer include open Q&A; questions must be submitted by email for response during the week.