The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving into Phase 2 cleanup operations in the Eaton Fire zone.
On Wednesday, crews worked to clear debris from two schools destroyed in the wildfires, including Loma Alta Elementary School.
It’s part of a program announced by Mark Pestrella, director of the L.A. County Department of Public Works on Jan. 22.
The Environmental Protection Agency handles Phase 1, where the crews go in and remove the most hazardous materials from the burned property like lithium-ion batteries and household chemicals. Once they've signed off on a property, the Army Corps of Engineers comes in to clear out all the debris.
Azusa Mayor Robert Gonzalez, who was one of several mayors who voiced opposition to the Phase One debris collection site being in Irwindale, told KNX News’ Jon Baird he’s happy crews are in Phase 2.
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“As we understand it, you can't do Phase 2 until you complete Phase 1,” he said. “So that's a good sign that, you know, they're moving through this quickly and so those those efficiencies are happening. So, like I said, at the end of the day it needs to get done.”
The Eaton Fire, which started on the evening of Jan. 7, was declared fully contained last week.
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