Altadena Fire Cleanup Entering Final Phase

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials said Tuesday that debris removal and restoration work following January’s Eaton Fire is nearly complete and remains on schedule for a full handoff to local agencies by the end of the year.

“Our attention has turned towards the completion of the last few projects within our mission,” said Lt. Alexander Cummings.

The January fire decimated Altadena, burning approximately 14,000 acres.

As of July, the official death toll reached nineteen people.

Cummings told Los Angeles County supervisors that the Corps’ private parcel debris removal program has wound down and crews are focused on completing the last projects within their mission.

“We remain on schedule to complete a handover back to the Department of Parks and Recreation by the end of 2025,” Cummings said.

A restoration plan to repair the irrigation system, in coordination with the Department of Public Works, is being finalized. Cummings said the Corps expects earthwork and irrigation repairs to be finished by mid-October.

Crews are also wrapping up work at Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, where stabilization of the historic tower was completed early in the project. Final debris removal at the site is expected to conclude this week, with a sign-off and transfer to the county soon after, Cummings said.