May 28, 2021
More than 1,100 participating properties returned back to county officials for final approval after debris removal work completed
SACRAMENTO – More than 1,100 properties enrolled in California's statewide Consolidated Debris Removal Program have cleared the entire debris removal process and been returned to county officials for final approval and the beginning of the reconstruction process. The 1,106 returned properties represent 25.4 percent of those participating in either the full debris removal program or only the hazard tree element.
In 2020, over 8,000 climate-induced wildfires burned 4.2 million acres of California, destroying more than 5,700 homes. Property owners incur no direct costs for participation in the state-managed clean up and recovery program, administered by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) in collaboration with 25 participating counties.
Major Clearing Work: 87 Percent Complete
To date, the remains of 2020 wildfire survivors’ homes and property -- burned metal, concrete, ash, and contaminated soil -- have now been cleared from 88.1 percent of the properties enrolled in California’s statewide Consolidated Debris Removal Program. Most properties still need critical soil testing, erosion control, and hazard tree removal to ensure the lots are safe for families to rebuild.
Wildfire survivors had the option to either use their own contractor or enroll in the state-managed program. Of the 5,991 properties with damage from the 2020 fires, 3,760 signed up to have the remains of their homes and other structures cleared by the state.
As of May 28, 2021, state-managed crews cleared burned metal, concrete, ash and contaminated soil from 3,311, or 88.1 percent, of the properties participating in the full debris removal program.
Steps Properties Percentage
STRUCTURAL DEBRIS REMOVED 3,311 88,1%
BACK TO COUNTY FOR FINAL APPROVAL 1,106 25.4%
Steps Left to Complete
Before homeowners can begin rebuilding, cleared properties need additional work including:
· Separate contractors collect soil samples for verification at a state certified laboratory that they meet state environmental health and safety standards.
· Contractors next may install erosion control measures.
· Certified arborists or professional foresters assess wildfire-damaged trees in danger of falling on the public or public infrastructure for removal by separate contractors.
· Finally, state officials inspect the property to verify all completed work meets state standards. Debris officials submit a final inspection report to local officials to approve the property for reconstruction.
So far, 1,142 properties have gone through the entire post-debris removal steps of soil testing, erosion control, and removal of fire-damaged trees in danger of falling on public infrastructure before being returned to the county to begin reconstruction. 1,106 properties have cleared the entire process.
Property owners can track the above data on the Debris Operations Dashboard for the 2020 statewide wildfires. The dashboard is updated every hour and provides users with the ability to search by county or address.
* Data as of 5/28/21 at 2 p.m.
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More than 1,100 participating properties returned back to county officials for final approval after debris removal work completed
SACRAMENTO – More than 1,100 properties enrolled in California's statewide Consolidated Debris Removal Program have cleared the entire debris removal process and been returned to county officials for final approval and the beginning of the reconstruction process. The 1,106 returned properties represent 25.4 percent of those participating in either the full debris removal program or only the hazard tree element.
In 2020, over 8,000 climate-induced wildfires burned 4.2 million acres of California, destroying more than 5,700 homes. Property owners incur no direct costs for participation in the state-managed clean up and recovery program, administered by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) in collaboration with 25 participating counties.
Major Clearing Work: 87 Percent Complete
To date, the remains of 2020 wildfire survivors’ homes and property -- burned metal, concrete, ash, and contaminated soil -- have now been cleared from 88.1 percent of the properties enrolled in California’s statewide Consolidated Debris Removal Program. Most properties still need critical soil testing, erosion control, and hazard tree removal to ensure the lots are safe for families to rebuild.
Wildfire survivors had the option to either use their own contractor or enroll in the state-managed program. Of the 5,991 properties with damage from the 2020 fires, 3,760 signed up to have the remains of their homes and other structures cleared by the state.
As of May 28, 2021, state-managed crews cleared burned metal, concrete, ash and contaminated soil from 3,311, or 88.1 percent, of the properties participating in the full debris removal program.
Steps Properties Percentage
STRUCTURAL DEBRIS REMOVED 3,311 88,1%
BACK TO COUNTY FOR FINAL APPROVAL 1,106 25.4%
Steps Left to Complete
Before homeowners can begin rebuilding, cleared properties need additional work including:
· Separate contractors collect soil samples for verification at a state certified laboratory that they meet state environmental health and safety standards.
· Contractors next may install erosion control measures.
· Certified arborists or professional foresters assess wildfire-damaged trees in danger of falling on the public or public infrastructure for removal by separate contractors.
· Finally, state officials inspect the property to verify all completed work meets state standards. Debris officials submit a final inspection report to local officials to approve the property for reconstruction.
So far, 1,142 properties have gone through the entire post-debris removal steps of soil testing, erosion control, and removal of fire-damaged trees in danger of falling on public infrastructure before being returned to the county to begin reconstruction. 1,106 properties have cleared the entire process.
Property owners can track the above data on the Debris Operations Dashboard for the 2020 statewide wildfires. The dashboard is updated every hour and provides users with the ability to search by county or address.
* Data as of 5/28/21 at 2 p.m.
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