The Fire Cleanup Process in Pacific Palisades

What is fire damage cleanup and why is it so different after a wildfire?

If your home burned down, or even partially, your property is now considered contaminated. The ash, soot, melted wiring, roofing materials, batteries, and household chemicals that went up in flames didn’t just disappear. They settled into your lot. The soil is likely laced with lead, arsenic, asbestos, and other toxic debris that poses serious health risks if not removed properly.

🚨 The City of Los Angeles and County of LA won’t even accept a permit application for rebuilding until your lot is certified clean.
That means:

• All hazardous materials must be identified and removed

• Ash and debris must be disposed of per EPA and CalRecycle guidelines

• Soil may need to be excavated and replaced

• You’ll need proof of proper cleanup before anything can move forward

Step-by-step fire damage cleanup for homes destroyed or damaged in Pacific Palisades

Phase 1: How hazardous waste is removed

This phase is usually handled by LA County or Cal OES (if you opted in) and includes:

• Household hazardous waste (HHW)

• Batteries, propane tanks, solvents, electronic waste, asbestos

If you missed the ROE (Right-of-Entry) deadline to join the government program, you're responsible for hiring a licensed hazmat contractor to do this at your own expense.

Phase 2: Structural debris, ash, and soil clearance

This includes:

• Burned structures and framing

• Roofs, insulation, and remaining fire-damaged trees

• 3–6 inches of topsoil often must be removed to eliminate chemical contamination

All debris must be hauled to certified disposal sites with full documentation.

Soil testing and environmental review: what’s required

Even after cleanup, the land may not be safe. Ash can leave behind heavy metals and carcinogens. Independent environmental testing is the only way to confirm your soil is clean. If it fails, you may need:

• Additional soil excavation

• Soil replacement with certified clean fill

• Environmental clearance documentation

Lot surveying, grading, and drainage prep

Wildfires destroy fences, markers, and familiar landmarks. Your lot must be professionally surveyed and re-marked before rebuilding. We also coordinate grading plans and erosion control as part of making your land buildable again.

Why clearance documents matter before rebuilding

Los Angeles County will not accept building permits until you show:

• Hazardous waste has been removed

• The site has passed environmental clearance

• Soil testing has confirmed safe levels

• A licensed surveyor has established accurate lot lines

Do I need soil testing after fire damage? Here’s what to know

Most people overlook this step entirely. Just because your lot looks clean doesn’t mean it is. Wildfire ash contains:

• Lead

• Arsenic

• PAHs and dioxins

We arrange independent lab testing of your soil and coordinate remediation if needed. It’s the only way to protect your future home’s safety and get city approval.

Ash, soot, and hazardous waste: what needs to be removed after a fire

Cleanup isn’t just hauling debris. It requires careful removal of:

• Toxic ash

• Charred materials

• Melted plastics and wiring

• Treated lumber and roofing

• Electronics and batteries

All waste must be disposed of under state and federal hazmat guidelines—or your permit will be denied.

How long does fire cleanup take in Los Angeles County?

Here’s a typical timeline:

How much does fire damage cleanup cost?

Costs vary based on:

• Lot size

• Debris volume

• Soil contamination levels

• Whether you opted into the government cleanup program

Private cleanup (for those who missed the ROE deadline) can cost tens of thousands. Insurance doesn’t always cover everything. We provide detailed cost breakdowns and work with your adjuster to maximize what your policy will cover.

How to make sure your lot is cleared, tested, and ready to rebuild

With Bay Cities Construction, you get a team that handles every step:

• Coordination with county and state agencies

• Licensed hazmat and debris removal

• Independent soil testing and lab analysis

• Grading and erosion control

• Lot surveys and property line marking

• Full documentation required for permit submission

Get help navigating the fire cleanup process in Pacific Palisades

We understand exactly what this process requires, because we've spent years working with local city agencies, engineers, and environmental professionals across Los Angeles. From site clearance to final approvals, we know how to navigate every step of the fire cleanup process so nothing falls through the cracks.

Let’s talk. Your next step is a no-pressure call where we walk through your lot, your timeline, and what it will take to get you cleared and moving forward.