The deadline for the withdrawal of free fire debris in the County of Los Angeles is approaching

The County of Los Angeles doubles its awareness efforts to inform the owners they have until the end of the month to opt for the program to withdraw free fire debris with the US Army Corps of Engineers. After the deadline of March 31, residents will have to pay the bill to eliminate fire debris from their properties.

“I encourage all those who are sitting on the fence or who are thinking about calling us, calling the county, getting the facts and making elections so that we can start this process on your property,” said Colonel Eric Swenson on Wednesday of the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Almost two months after the fires in January, around 8,200 properties opted for the program, according to the latest county data. Over 700 owners have withdrawn.

To start the process, residents must give the county entry to their properties. County’s operation to examine requests includes a “rigorous verification process that protects property owners from fraud,” said Angela George-Moody, deputy director of public works.

The county adds staff when approaching the deadline.

About 2,300 properties have been subjected to entrepreneurs who should eliminate debris, but the county has identified more than 13,500 eligible plots in the two fire zones.

More than 9,400 structures were destroyed in Altadena and more than 6,800 in the Pacific palisades. Official estimates show that fires have generated up to 4.5 million tonnes of debris. The massive company to eliminate debris took place in phases, the environmental protection agency ending the first step in 28 days.

The agency has eliminated lithium batteries, propane tanks and other dangerous materials of the county properties. The second phase is currently underway.

The managers also examine the trees for a possible withdrawal of damaged properties. The trees could be provided for withdrawal if they are dead or dying, too close to the imprint of a burned structure or leaning over a work area, among the factors described by the county.

Trees with yellow marks and ribbons have been removed from the elimination process, while trees with unique barcodes and peaceful marks are classified as an immediate or imminent risk. According to county officials, all these trees will not be deleted, and residents will have the opportunity to appeal the decision. But residents must be aware that the process could have an impact on their ability to guarantee a construction permit.

“There are many opportunities for survivors to work with our teams to express their concerns and their desire to keep specific trees that we have deemed as a high and dangerous risk,” said Swenson.

He also asked residents not to paint trees themselves to try to save them from withdrawal.

“I urge the survivors, I do not paint the trees. Toxic painting is harmful to trees, “he said.