SACRAMENTO – Dry weather is enabling debris removal crews managed by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to accelerate the cleanup of homes and businesses destroyed by the Camp, Woolsey and Hill fires.

Almost 200 crews, consisting of three to five workers each, are now removing wildfire ash, debris, concrete, metal, and contaminated soil from properties in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties in which homeowners are participating in the state-managed debris removal program.

· In Butte County, 141 crews clear an average of 100 properties per day.

· In Los Angeles and Ventura counties, 44 crews clear an average of 28 properties every three days.

“Wildfire debris removal crews are making extraordinary progress clearing remnants of these unprecedented disasters and putting these communities in a position to rebuild,” CalRecycle Director Scott Smithline said. “These debris removal crews, along with local, state, and federal partner teams, are working six days a week to help restore these neighborhoods. Our objective, always, is conducting our debris removal operations safely and efficiently.”

California’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program

Implemented under the leadership of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or CalOES, and local governments, the Consolidated Debris Removal Program offers survivors of the Camp, Woolsey, and Hill fires a streamlined option to clear their properties.

Following the removal of household hazardous waste from burned parcels (Phase 1), CalRecycle oversees and manages contractors to conduct Phase 2 of debris removal operations at no out-of-pocket cost to property owners.

To participate, owners must grant cleanup crews access to their property by returning signed right-of-entry agreements to their local government.