The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is conducting the largest wildfire hazardous waste cleanup in its history, following severe wildfires in Los Angeles County.
According to the EPA, it has completed reconnaissance at 6,022 properties affected by the Eaton and Palisades Fires.
The agency has removed 80 electric vehicles and bulk energy storage systems, which pose risks to both public safety and the environment.
Cleanup operations are expanding, with 1,050 response personnel now in the field, up from 478 last week, and an additional 280 personnel being mobilized.
EPA’s response is part of a coordinated federal effort directed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The agency has been assigned the first phase of recovery, which includes the removal of lithium-ion batteries and hazardous materials from fire-damaged properties.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said: “EPA is undertaking the largest wildfire cleanup in the history of the agency. We’re not going to wait days or weeks or months to ramp up.
“We have over a thousand personnel on the ground to aid Californians, and our local, state, and federal partners, in Los Angeles’s recovery.”
EPA has also convened a working group to coordinate with utilities and government stakeholders to accelerate cleanup efforts.
At the request of water utilities, the agency is providing technical assistance to restore systems impacted by the fires.
EPA has warned residents to exercise caution when returning to their properties, particularly regarding lithium-ion batteries from vehicles, homes, and energy storage systems.
Damaged batteries can spontaneously ignite, explode, and release toxic gases.
Residents who encounter lithium-ion batteries on their properties are advised to call the EPA hotline at 1-833-798-7372.
The agency has deployed 60 teams to remove hazardous materials from over 13,000 residential and 250 commercial properties.
On January 24, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing EPA to complete its hazardous materials cleanup in Los Angeles as quickly as possible.
The agency’s hazardous waste removal is part of Phase 1 of the federal cleanup response.
Once hazardous materials are cleared, Phase 2 will begin automatically, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under FEMA’s coordination.
This second phase will address debris removal and additional site clearance.
EPA is leading the largest wildfire hazardous waste cleanup operation in its history in Los Angeles County.
The agency has completed reconnaissance of 6,022 properties and removed 80 electric vehicles and bulk energy storage systems.
Cleanup operations have expanded, with 1,050 personnel on the ground.
FEMA has tasked the EPA with the first phase of the cleanup, focusing on lithium-ion batteries and hazardous material removal.
The agency is working with state and local authorities to accelerate efforts and restore utilities.
Residents returning to their properties are advised to be cautious around lithium-ion batteries, which can reignite and emit toxic gases.
EPA has deployed teams to remove hazardous materials from over 13,000 residential and 250 commercial properties.
On January 24, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing EPA to complete its work as soon as possible.
Phase 2 of the cleanup, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will follow EPA’s hazardous waste removal efforts.
