City Announces Three Eaton Fire Debris Removal Routes

The City of Pasadena announced designated haul routes for the Phase 2 Eaton Fire Debris Removal Program, scheduled to begin Monday.

The operation will remove an estimated 2.5 million tons of debris from about 9,400 destroyed structures across Pasadena and Altadena, with more than 1,500 truckloads expected to be hauled away daily by Super-10 dump trucks.

“A significant amount of truck traffic will be utilizing these haul routes, and signal timing will be adjusted to accommodate the additional traffic,” a City of Pasadena statement said.

Trucks hauling debris from burn areas will first use local streets until reaching designated haul routes, which then connect to Interstate 210 freeway access points.

The City announcement Friday identified these routes:

• West of Lake Ave: Woodbury Road to Arroyo Blvd to I-210 on/off ramps
• East of Lake Ave and west of Eaton Canyon Golf Course: New York Drive to Sierra Madre Villa Ave to Rosemead Blvd to I-210 on/off ramps
• East of Eaton Canyon Golf Course: Michillinda Ave to I-210 on/off ramps

The massive cleanup operation, which Governor Gavin Newsom noted is proceeding at “twice the speed” of prior wildfire recoveries like the 2018 Woolsey Fire, has sparked controversy over waste disposal sites.

The debris includes hazardous materials such as lithium-ion batteries, asbestos, and contaminated soil that require special handling procedures.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers’ selection of temporary processing locations near foothill communities has faced opposition from residents in Duarte, Azusa, Irwindale, Baldwin Park, and Topanga Canyon.

Planned dumping at the Calabasas Landfill, set to begin Monday, has prompted organized protests. “Join us as we demand accountability for the safety and well-being of our communities,” protest organizers said, announcing demonstrations scheduled for Saturday, February 15 at 10 a.m. and Monday, February 17 at 8 a.m. at the Calabasas Landfill, 5300 Lost Hills Road. Protestors said they planned to block incoming trucks.

The hauling operation involves coordinated efforts between multiple agencies, with the City of Pasadena working alongside Los Angeles County, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the California Department of Transportation, and neighboring jurisdictions.

“The City reminds residents to be patient and drive safely if they experience the additional truck traffic along these haul routes, as this is a critical part of the rebuilding process and recovery efforts,” officials stated.