Army Corps Completes First Eaton Wildfire Phase 2 Property Cleanup

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed debris removal from its first Eaton Fire-destroyed Altadena residential property Friday, marking a milestone in Los Angeles County’s recovery efforts.

The Phase 2 cleanup operation, carried out under FEMA’s direction, included removing fire-related ash and debris, implementing erosion control measures, and applying hydro mulching to prepare the site for future rebuilding.

“This first completed property represents progress—not just in debris removal, but in restoring hope for families who lost so much,” said Maj. Gen. Jason Kelly, deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Civil and Emergency Operations. “We are committed to executing this mission safely and swiftly so communities can move forward.”

The Corps, leveraging 250 years of engineering experience and decades of disaster response expertise, follows strict environmental and safety protocols in separating hazardous and recyclable materials before removing general debris.

“Our teams are fully engaged and working property-by-property to help affected residents take that critical first step toward rebuilding,” said Col. Eric Swenson, Los Angeles Wildfire Recovery Field Office commander. “While there is still much work to be done, our first completion is an important milestone, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to this mission and this community.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger praised the Corps’ efforts. “This is an amazing accomplishment,” Barger said. “The speed and agility of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is nothing short of astonishing and reflects their expertise. I applaud their focus and dedication to supporting recovery work in Los Angeles County. As their results multiply in the days to come, I ask Eaton Fire survivors to keep their hope alive. With the support of our federal, state, and local partners, a timely recovery is indeed possible. We are on the road to rebuilding our beloved Altadena.”

Residents can monitor cleanup progress through an interactive map viewer on the Los Angeles District website, as the Corps coordinates with local officials to minimize community disruption during the ongoing operations.