Latest news with #Governor'sOfficeofEmergencyServices
Epoch Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Debris Cleared From Thousands of Properties Since January Wildfires in Los Angeles
More than 4,000 properties participating in government-run debris removal programs have been cleared in the aftermath of the Los Angeles County January wildfires, according to authorities. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) The crews are removing burned structural remains, trees, ash, and other debris, along with six inches of soil, including two to five feet around the footprint of the burned area. 'Crews continue to work seven days a week across impacted communities, prioritizing safety and environmental protection throughout the operation,' said Cal OES in a statement. According to the state, $129.1 million in FEMA assistance has also been distributed to victims of the fires, and all eight public schools that were disrupted have returned to in-person learning as of May 5. Construction workers have also started rebuilding homes in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, where multi-million-dollar houses stood before they were devastated by the Palisades Fire. Related Stories 4/17/2025 3/6/2025 Concerns remain about the safety of returning to land that was burned in the conflagration, due to the potential threat of toxins such as lead and asbestos in the environment. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Calif.) and seven other Congress members said in March that FEMA had 'Families deserve to know their homes are safe and free of dangerous chemicals. This is a break from decades of FEMA precedent—and it risks exposing entire communities to long-term health threats,' said Friedman in a statement. According to state authorities, the South Coast Air Quality Management District is Homeowners are also seeking approval for new home designs and other permits to rebuild or repair damaged homes, while 267 properties are At an Ad Hoc Committee for L.A. Recovery special meeting in March, city representatives heard from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety regarding the slow pace of permit issuance after the city had approved only three permits to rebuild two months after the fires destroyed over 6,800 homes in the Pacific Palisades community. Since that meeting, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has In late April, Gov. Gavin Newsom 'The current pace of issuing permits locally is not meeting the magnitude of the challenge we face. To help boost local progress, California is partnering with the tech sector and community leaders to give local governments more tools to rebuild faster and more effectively,' Newsom said in a statement.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pacific Coast Highway to reopen in May, Newsom says
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced that Pacific Coast Highway will reopen to one lane in each direction before the end of May, weeks ahead of schedule, following the deadly wildfire in January. Since the wildfire, the highway has been closed to the public and has only reopened to residents, essential businesses, and repair crews. According to the governor's office, once the highway is reopened, security checkpoints currently in place on the north and south ends of the closure will be removed, while law enforcement from state and local agencies will remain in place. It's almost Tax Day in California. Here's what you need to know about filing deadlines The Governor's Office of Emergency Services and Caltrans will work with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize the cleanup of parcels along PCH by adding more crews in the area. 'There are currently more than 100 USACE crews (consisting of excavators, metal crushing equipment, and dump trucks) working on Palisades Fire parcels. All equipment and dump trucks utilize PCH as a path of travel for the haul routes. Currently, USACE is removing nearly 1,284 truckloads of debris per day,' a news release said. Newsom's office also noted that the United States Army Corps of Engineers removes over 1,284 truckloads of debris per day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pacific Coast Highway in Palisades burn area could reopen to public by end of May
A portion of Southern California's Pacific Coast Highway that's only been open to locals since January's firestorm could reopen to the public just in time for summer, the governor's office announced. One lane traveling in each direction on PCH in Pacific Palisades should be opened to drivers by the end of May, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a media statement. 'We understand how essential this route is for daily life and local businesses,' Newsom said in his announcement. 'Reopening PCH is a top priority, and we are going all-in to get this done." On Jan. 7, a fire broke out in the Palisades amid extreme Santa Ana winds and burned from Malibu to the ocean, destroying over 6,800 homes and buildings and killing 12 people. The firestorm was soon followed by winter rains, which triggered mud and debris flows that washed out the highway and even pushed a fire official's vehicle into the ocean. More than 100 trucks and excavators and other equipment are working on the highway and more than 1,200 truckloads of debris are being carried away per day, the governor's office said. Currently, PCH is only open to residents who live in the Palisades fire burn area. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services is working with the California Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clear destroyed homes, remove toxic ash and soot, and repair the roadway. The security checkpoints at the north and south ends of the closure will be removed when the highway reopens to the public. Law enforcement from state and local agencies will remain in the area. Additional information on the status of wildfire recovery can be found at Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
