Introduction to the Palisades Fires
With less than a month until the one-year anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton fires, nearly a dozen properties in the Pacific Palisades have yet to be cleared by their owners. Now, the Los Angeles City Council is stepping in to get the last of that debris removed.
A motion currently pending with the City Council targets the 11 remaining parcels that have not completed debris removal despite repeated notices from the city, Westside Current reported. The motion was written by Council member Traci Park, who represents the Pacific Palisades among other Westside enclaves.
The City Council’s Proposal
Park’s proposal directs the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety to determine cost estimates and potential funding sources for the clearing effort within the 30 days. The city council will also be required to ask the city attorney’s office to evaluate all available legal options, including potential criminal prosecution of the property owners, over the debris-ridden plots. The City of Los Angeles pays for these efforts using Federal Emergency Management Agency and Office of Emergency Services funds managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The Current State of Debris Removal
“Nearly a year after the fire, 99.8 percent of the Palisades burn zone has been cleared, yet these remaining properties are still sitting in toxic limbo, and that is unacceptable,” Park said. “The community did everything right, the city did everything it could within its authority, and yet a handful of owners have allowed hazardous debris to remain despite repeated notices and a formal nuisance abatement.” The goal, Park said, is to “identify funding so we can step in, clean these sites ourselves, and finally move recovery forward.”
Properties Affected by the Fires
The properties in question were abated and declared public nuisances in October. Those sites include the Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Home Park and the remains of a mansion featured on HBO’s “Succession” containing hazardous waste. As of mid-October 2025, debris removal had been completed on 4,487 of the parcels charred by the fire, leaving 11 sites uncleared.
Comparison with the Eaton Fire Cleanup
On the other side of town, cleanup efforts following the Eaton fire wrapped several months ago. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed debris removal in Altadena and the surrounding area in August.
Next Steps for the City Council
If the motion is approved in committee, it would advance to the full city council for a final greenlight.
Read More
Read more
Austin Russell’s “Succession” mansion among burned Pacific Palisades properties declared public nuisance
LA orders landlord to clean up mobile-home park after FEMA denial
Army Corps fire cleanup concludes as crews clear last homesite
Conclusion
The Los Angeles City Council’s move to clear the last Palisades lots is a crucial step towards recovery and rebuilding for the affected communities. With the city council’s proposal and the potential for legal action against property owners, it is likely that the remaining debris will be removed, and the area can begin to heal.
FAQs
Q: How many properties in the Pacific Palisades have yet to be cleared of debris?
A: 11 properties have yet to be cleared of debris.
Q: What is the city council’s proposal for clearing the remaining debris?
A: The city council’s proposal directs the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety to determine cost estimates and potential funding sources for the clearing effort within 30 days.
Q: What is the current state of debris removal in the Palisades burn zone?
A: 99.8 percent of the Palisades burn zone has been cleared, with 11 sites remaining uncleared.
