Does the Health Emergency Declaration prevent property owners from removing personal items from the burn area? Removal of personal items is not prohibited by the Declaration. Personal protection such as a well fitted NIOSH- certified air purifying respirator N-95 mask, gloves, long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and goggles should be used to reduce exposure to ash and toxic substances.

What do I need to do in order to have a trash dumpster delivered to my property within the burn area?  See Exemption from Local Program for Minor Burns.

My shed/barn burned but my house is not damaged. Do I still need to go through the Fire Debris Removal Process?  Yes. All properties in the burn areas must be evaluated for household hazardous waste prior to debris removal.

My house is undamaged, but my fence and bushes burned. Do I still need to go through the Fire Debris Removal Process? Maybe. All properties listed on the damage assessment maps must be
evaluated for household hazardous waste prior to debris removal. Depending on visible damage at time of inspection, your property may not be inspected.

Can I opt out of the Phase 1 hazardous waste inspection and proceed with debris removal? No. Inspection and clearance of household hazardous waste is required prior to any debris removal.

How will I know when Phase 1 crews have inspected my property and removed the hazardous materials/waste? A laminated yellow notice will be posted on the property by the Phase 1 crew when the property has been cleared.

What is the cost for the Phase I hazardous waste inspection and household hazardous waste removal? There is no charge to the property owner for this service.

When will Phase 1 hazardous waste crews be in my area? I would like to be present when they inspect my property. A general schedule may be available in the near future, but it is unlikely you will be notified of the assessment time.

How long will it take for DTSC to clear my property? Can I request to be a high priority? The duration of the inspection will depend on access to the property and the amount of material identified and removed. The process is relatively quick, and all homes will be assessed as soon as possible.

When will the Phase 2 government-funded fire debris removal process begin? There is currently no start date. It will begin after securing contracts for a Consolidated Debris Removal program. We will make an announcement when information becomes available.

What will be the cost of the Phase 2 government-funded debris removal? We will make an announcement when information becomes available. For now, property owners should be gathering information specifically to the debris removal portion of their insurance policy.

Can I opt out of the government-funded Phase 2 debris removal process? Yes. Application and approval are required by the Environmental Health Division prior to beginning the removal process. More information on a “Private Debris Removal Program” will be posted.

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Mountain Fire Debris Removal Frequently Asked Questions

Preguntas Frecuentes Sobre la Remoción de Escombros del Incendio de Montaña