Congressman Brad Sherman Joins Army Corps to Mark Final Pacific Palisades Fire Debris Removal

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – On August 26th, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) joined federal, state, and local leaders to commemorate the final debris removal operation in the Pacific Palisades Fire recovery area — a major milestone in the aftermath of one of the most destructive fires in recent California history.

Standing alongside representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, Cal OES, the County of Los Angeles, and the City of Los Angeles, Congressman Sherman honored the completion of a months-long effort to remove hazardous debris left behind by the Pacific Palisades fire, which began on January 7th.

“For residents like Noland West, whose home once stood here, what we now call ‘debris’ was once sanctuary, neighborhood, and the cherished mementos of lives well-lived,” said Congressman Sherman. “This is more than a cleanup milestone — it’s a moment of progress and perseverance for a community that’s been through hell and is fighting its way back.”

The final debris removal site in Pacific Palisades is the last of the opt-in properties cleared under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ debris removal program. Under FEMA’s direction and in coordination with local partners, the Corps removed over 1 million tons of hazardous material from 4,010 properties — completing the mission several months ahead of schedule.

“I want to thank the Army Corps of Engineers for taking on this task head-on and getting it done with lightning-quick speed,” said Sherman. “What I hear mostly from residents is ‘we want to rebuild quickly’, and that is why we are here to celebrate government doing something well ahead of schedule, enabling residents to move forward with the hard but important work of rebuilding their homes and lives.”

The federal government has allocated more than $2.1 billion to the debris removal mission. Congressman Sherman has pushed for full funding and strong oversight throughout the process, advocating for comprehensive soil testing and liability protections for residents.

Congressman Sherman also vowed to fight for a supplemental appropriation in Washington to help make it easier for affected families to rebuild.

The event featured remarks from U.S. Army Corps leadership, FEMA, Cal OES, Councilwoman Traci Park (Los Angeles – District 11), and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath (Los Angeles County – District 3). All praised the extraordinary coordination among agencies and the resilience of the affected communities.

Sherman closed with a message of determination: “The Army Corps and the EPA have concluded their mission. Now we must stand resolute in ours — providing the resources and support to help this community come back stronger. Palisades Strong.”

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