LA County to Consider Ordinance Mandating Fire Debris Removal

The county Board of Supervisors Tuesday will consider approving an ordinance to allow for fire debris cleanup at properties where owners failed to opt in for the government-sponsored program and have not hired a licensed contractor to perform the work.

Property owners impacted by the January wildfires were given the chance to opt in for a free U.S. Army Corps of Engineers fire debris removal program by filing “Right of Entry” forms, which were due on April 15.

Residents who opted out of the program or failed to submit the ROE forms before the deadline must hire private contractors to perform the work after obtaining a Fire Debris Removal Permit from the county. Those residents are then responsible for paying the removal costs. The removal work must be completed by June 30.

Approximately 10% of property owners impacted by the fires opted out of the free debris-removal program, according to a motion by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Kathryn Barger.

According to the motion, most property owners who opted out of the free program are in the process of having the work done on their own.

“However, there are some property owners who either never decided on how to have their property cleared or who opted out but have not made any effort to have their property cleared,” the motion states.

“As neighbors move to quickly recover from the fires, they must have confidence that these `non-responsive’ properties will be cleared quickly of this remaining fire ash and debris to avoid the health impacts of uncontained fire ash and debris to themselves and the community at large. Therefore, speedy abatement of this public health nuisance is essential.”

If approved, properties that have not been cleared of debris by June 30 will be declared a public nuisance and health hazard. Such properties will be issued a Summary Abatement Notice and Order, which homeowners can appeal within seven days of issuance.

The county would then be authorized to take appropriate measures to clear the fire debris, with the costs billed to the property owner. If the owner fails to pay, a lien will be placed on the property.

The measure is being proposed as an urgency ordinance, meaning it will take effect immediately if it is approved by a four-fifths vote of the five-member Board of Supervisors.