Debris Could be Cleared From Most Altadena Properties by Late Summer

The Army Corps of Engineers continues to track ahead of schedule on Phase 2 of the debris removal in Altadena.

“We are going to be complete January 1, 2026,” said Col. Sonny Avichal at the annual Altadena Community meeting. “However we do expect that for the great majority of property owners, we should be complete late summer early fall.”

As of Monday there were 123 debris removal crews and 92 asbestos abatement removal teams working in Altadena.

Debris has been removed from 1900 properties, Avichal said.

The two stage process began in February after the devastating Eaton Fire broke in January. In Phase 1, teams from the Environmental Protection Agency removed hazardous materials from local properties.

After that was completed Phase 2 began. In that phase, local property owners were required to fill out forms allowing contractors with the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct comprehensive debris removal, including foundations and six inches of soil.

Residents are allowed to opt out of that program and perform the debris removal themselves.

Property owners have until April 15 to fill out the forms to have the army perform the debris removal.

A key component of this effort involves utilizing a 12-acre section of the Altadena Golf Course as a Temporary Debris Staging and Reduction site.

This site is designated for processing clean concrete, metals, and vegetative debris, such as burned trees, from fire-impacted properties, facilitating recycling and reducing the volume of materials sent to landfills.

The site processes clean concrete (e.g., foundations, walls), scrap metal (e.g., structural steel, appliances), and vegetative debris, including burned trees, branches.

Ash, contaminated soil, asbestos-containing materials, municipal solid waste, tires, and electronic waste are not processed at this site.

The army says the site will be used for 10 months.

Local residents have expressed concerns regarding potential noise and air quality impacts due to the site’s proximity to residential areas. In response, the Army Corps of Engineers has implemented several mitigation measures.

Water spray systems have been employed on machinery to suppress dust during operations. Multiple air monitoring units have been installed on-site, with operators equipped with personal air monitors to ensure safety standards are met and noise reduction equipment is installed as needed to minimize disturbances to the surrounding community.

Despite these measures, some community members have voiced dissatisfaction, citing concerns over transparency and the selection of the golf course as a staging area.