2025 Southern California Wildfire Response

Top photo: Containers with household hazardous materials collected after a fire Bottom photo: Empty propane cannisters marked with a white “x” to identify them as scrap metal for recycling
Examples of recovered (top) and identified (bottom) household hazardous materials.

EPA Leads Hazardous Cleanup Efforts After Devastating Southern California Wildfires

2025 Southern California Wildfire Response

In the wake of the catastrophic 2025 Southern California wildfires, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mobilized its teams to assist in hazardous material removal across the hardest-hit areas, including the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fire zones. Following President Biden’s federal disaster declaration on January 8 and an executive order issued by President Trump on January 24, the EPA has been working alongside the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to assess and clear toxic debris from burned properties.

As part of its Phase 1 response, the EPA is focusing on the removal of hazardous household materials such as paints, solvents, oils, and lithium-ion batteries, which pose significant risks to public health and the environment. The agency has also implemented specialized procedures to decommission high-voltage batteries from electric vehicles and home backup power systems, building upon strategies used during the 2023 Maui wildfire recovery.

Residents returning to their properties are urged to exercise extreme caution due to lingering hazards, including unstable structures and airborne particulate matter. The EPA has established an interactive parcel lookup tool to help homeowners track cleanup progress, with properties marked as either "Phase 1 Complete" or "Deferred to Phase 2" if further safety measures are required before full debris removal can proceed.

In addition to cleanup operations, air quality monitoring is underway through the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), providing real-time updates on particulate pollution levels. The EPA also plans to engage directly with affected communities through public meetings, social media updates, and informational resources to ensure residents stay informed.

For further assistance or to report concerns, residents can contact the EPA hotline at (833)-R9-USEPA or email EPALAWildfiresInfo@epa.gov.

 

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