Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis Assesses Eaton Fire Damage and Overlooks Debris Cleanup Efforts 

 

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 11, 2025   
Contact: Press@ltg.ca.gov, (916) 445-8994

 

PASADENA, CA — Last week, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis joined officials from the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to assess debris cleanup efforts and the Eaton Fire recovery process. 

 

 

The Eaton Fire, which broke out on January 7 in Altadena and Pasadena, burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed nearly 9,500 structures, and tragically claimed the lives of 17 people. It is now 100% contained. 

In January, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis surveyed the wildfire damage from both the Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire, and met with local leaders and emergency response teams to assess the devastation firsthand. 

 

“The road to recovery is never easy, but the resilience of our communities is stronger than any fire. With debris cleanup underway, we are clearing the path for families to rebuild. I am grateful to our state, local, and federal partners for their tireless efforts to restore safety and hope to those impacted.”

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis

BRIEFING WITH AGENCIES 

Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis kicked off the first stop in Pasadena to receive an update on local, state, and federal response actions to the Eaton Fire and the status on cleanup efforts and debris removal.  

The debris removal process is a two-phase operation led by multiple state and federal agencies:  

  • Phase-1 (Hazardous Materials Removal): Overseen by CalEPA and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this phase involves clearing hazardous materials such as household chemicals, asbestos, and burned fuel from properties to ensure safe cleanup. 
  • Phase-2 (Debris Removal & Property Clearance): Led by FEMA and USACE, this phase includes removing ash, structural debris, and contaminated soil to prepare sites for rebuilding. 

What is a parcel?

A parcel refers to a specific piece of land identified by the county’s Assessor Parcel Number (APN)—not just individual homes or buildings. Within the Eaton and Palisades fire zones, there are approximately 14,000 parcels affected. Some parcels contain a single home, while others may include multiple structures or open land. Over 11,000 single-family residences were destroyed in both the Eaton and Palisades fires combined.  

For more information on debris removal, schools, water systems, and air quality, visit California’s new dashboard on the ca.gov/LAFires website.  

 

TOURS OF IMPACTED SCHOOLS 

Following the briefing, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis toured two fire-damaged elementary schools to witness cleanup progress and discuss next steps for rebuilding. 

  • Loma Alta Elementary School: Currently in Phase-1 debris cleanup.   
  • Edison Elementary School: Phase-1 debris cleanup complete.  

The Eaton Fire severely impacted local schools, damaging or destroying at least eight educational institutions, including multiple elementary schools. 

As cleanup operations continue, residents should expect an increased presence of debris removal teams in their neighborhoods. State and federal agencies appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as crews work to clear hazards and restore safety to affected properties.  

 

HOW FIRE SURVIVORS CAN GET HELP 

Residents affected by the fire can sign up for the federal debris removal program by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) or applying online at ca.gov/LAFires.