Federal Funds Approved for Debris Removal At Oakridge Mobile Home Park
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (Sherman Oaks) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) approved $1,633,700 in public assistance funding to the City of Los Angeles to remove debris from Oakridge Mobile Home Park in Sylmar. Some 75% of the funds are from FEMA and are disbursed pursuant to the federal major disaster declaration issued on November 18, 2008 by the President at the request of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Congressman Sherman.
In February, FEMA approved a plan by the City of Los Angeles to begin the exhaustive cleanup of Oakridge Mobile Home Park. Oakridge residents were forced to flee their homes on Friday, November 14, 2008 as the flames spawned by the Sayre Fire swept through the bucolic mobile home park at the northeast end of Glenoaks Boulevard in Sylmar.
“For over three months, Oakridge residents whose homes were saved from the fire and those who lost their homes have waited for the chance to return and rebuild. With this agreement, federal, state and local officials are taking the initiative to help cover the costs of debris removal and allow residents an opportunity to start a new life in their quaint community,” said Congressman Sherman.
The Sayre Fire destroyed 476 mobile homes at Oakridge; 124 were damaged or remain intact, but residents are not permitted to occupy their homes until all the debris is safely removed from the property. The President’s major disaster declaration prompted FEMA to release federal funds to help communities and cities recover from the November wildfires. Sherman pressed state and federal officials to declare a disaster for both the October and November wildfires, which devastated communities across the northern part of the San Fernando Valley.
Since December, federal, state and local officials, including Congressman Sherman’s office, have met on many occasions to formulate a plan that would allow residents to return to the property in Sylmar. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health declared a “Public Health Hazard” due to the environmental and health impacts associated with fire ash and debris at the Oakridge Mobile Home Park. This action was necessary in order for FEMA to direct Public Assistance resources toward debris removal at the private property in Sylmar. The City of Los Angeles will serve as the local public sponsor and work with state officials to draw down federal funds to pay for the costs of debris removal services. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilmember Richard Alarcón were instrumental in helping to craft the final agreement.
“When the last flame was out and the smoke cleared, the City of Los Angeles pledged to help the residents of Oakridge rebuild from the devastation left behind,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Removing the fire debris will not only begin the process of rebuilding, but will eliminate the constant threat lingering in the ashes and loose debris threatening to once again endanger the well being of the surrounding community”
FEMA will reimburse 75% of the total cost of debris removal, while the State of California and the City of Los Angeles assume the 25% local sponsor match. Of the $1,633,700 in eligible costs, FEMA will pay $1,225,275, California will pay $306,319, and the City will bear the remaining $102,106. Officials estimate the cleanup will take up to 60 days. Debris removal at the site should be completed by the end of April. State and county agencies will re-inspect the site to determine if it is safe before transferring the site back to the property owner and residents.