Today marks a significant milestone in Altadena’s recovery from the devastating Eaton Fire. Los Angeles County Public Works has officially delivered the first batch of signed Right-of-Entry (ROE) forms from wildfire survivors to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, allowing debris removal efforts to begin.
“This is a critical step forward in our mission to rebuild and restore Altadena,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “The debris left in the fire’s wake is not just a visual reminder of the devastation—it poses real health and safety risks to our community. By clearing these sites, we are paving the way for families to rebuild and reclaim their homes.”
The submission of these initial ROE forms represents the hard work and dedication of Los Angeles County Public Works staff, along with community partners like the Altadena Town Council, and, most importantly, the resilience of Altadena residents who are determined to rebuild. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will now begin debris removal operations, ensuring the safe and efficient clearing of damaged properties while adhering to environmental and public safety standards.
“Our focus remains on accelerating this recovery process while prioritizing safety, efficiency, and transparency,” Barger continued. “I want to thank every homeowner who has taken this step, as well as our partners at Los Angeles County Public Works, who are working around the clock on this and many other efforts related to the recovery process, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their tireless commitment to this effort. This is just the beginning—more work lies ahead, but today we move forward with determination and hope.”
Validation includes the careful review of submitted forms to verify property ownership, assuring the rights of residents are protected and guarding against potential fraud. Validated ROEs are transmitted electronically to the Army Corps of Engineers. If there are any issues with a submitted ROE, a County representative will contact the property owner to resolve them. If the form is in order, the Army Corps of Engineers will notify the owner 3-5 days before debris removal is scheduled for that property.
Residents who still need to submit their ROE forms are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to ensure their properties are included in the debris removal process. Additional information and support are available at recovery.lacounty.gov.