February 20, 2025

LATEST UPDATES

City of Malibu Planning Commission Meeting on Code Amendments to Facilitate the Fire Rebuild Process, February 20


The Planning Commission is hosting a special meeting on Thursday, February 20 at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The Planning Commission will review and recommend updates to the City’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) and Malibu Municipal Code (MMC) to streamline the rebuild process for homes and structures damaged or destroyed by the recent fires.

Join the Meeting 
Meeting Agenda
Staff Report

Post-Fire Debris Cleanup & Sediment Testing Ongoing at L.A. County Beaches



The LA County Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH), along with LA County Public Works, LA County Public Health, and the Regional Water Quality Board, is actively monitoring post-fire beach and ocean conditions to ensure public safety, with results posted on beaches.lacounty.gov/wildfires. The website provides updates on wildfire-related coastal impacts, including ocean advisories and beach closures. 


Sediment Testing & Natural Recovery 

Charred silt on the shoreline is a mix of fine ash and sand. Initial testing at Will Rogers and Topanga beaches confirmed it is non-hazardous to people or the environment. To avoid harming marine habitats, the sediment won’t be removed — natural tides will gradually break it down. 


Debris Removal in Progress 

Crews are removing large wildfire debris, such as wood, construction materials, and sharp objects, from beaches as far south as Redondo Beach. Beachgoers should avoid debris and report large items to the nearest lifeguard or call DBH at 424-526-7777. For ongoing updated conditions, call the Public Health Ocean Water Quality Hotline: 800-525-5662 or visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach

DEBRIS REMOVAL UPDATES

PHASE 1 -

EPA Removal of Household Hazardous Materials

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is surveying, removing, and disposing of hazardous materials from properties impacted by the fires. This work is free to residents and is already underway. USEPA field teams will remove asbestos and inspect pressurized fuel cylinders (propane tanks). They will also remove items thought to have asbestos if they are easy to identify, but the property will not be fully cleared until Phase 2.

 

Progress: USEPA’s removal of household hazardous materials is nearly complete, and will begin demobilizing field presence in Malibu. Review the EPA’s Story Map for Phase 1 status of parcels identified by LA County, parcels ready for Phase 2 and specifics on the continuing work on removing lithium ion batteries.

 

Contact Information:  

  • LA County Public Works Fire Debris Hotline: 844-347-3332 
  • EPA Hotline: 1-833-798-7372

PHASE 2 -

Debris Removal

Owners of destroyed structures can participate in the government-sponsored debris removal program to have the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) remove fire debris from their properties free of charge. Owners who elect to opt-out must receive approval from LA County and will be responsible for hiring the appropriately licensed and certified contractors and for all costs incurred for removing the debris, asbestos abatement, and soil testing.

 

Progress: Last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in coordination with the State of California and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, started Phase 2 debris removal for private residential properties in the Eaton and Palisades wildfire impact zones. Progress can be viewed on their interactive map.


More information and Opt-In/Opt-Out forms are available here.

 

Contact Information:  

  • LA County Public Works Fire Debris Hotline: 844-347-3332 
  • US Army Corps of Engineers Debris Call Center: 213-308-8305 

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEBRUARY

23

LA County Medical Association Fire Recovery Resource Fair: For Physicians & Their Staff

from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Collins & Katz Family YMCA


Connect with legal, financial and construction experts to navigate fire recovery and receive access to tailored resources and guidance. Visit LACMAMembers.com/Physician-Toolkit to RSVP.

FEBRUARY

26


Multi-Agency Fire Debris Right-Of-Entry Workshop

from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at Malibu City Hall


The City will be hosting a multi-agency Fire Debris Removal Workshop at City Hall to offer guidance to property owners on submitting Right-Of-Entry and Opt-In and Opt-Out forms that are necessary to start the Phase 2 fire debris removal process. Learn how to fill out and submit the forms, and what Opt-In (the government run, no cost program), and Opt-Out (privately funded by the property owner) mean for your property. A Q&A session on fire debris removal will follow. The workshop may be viewed live or later on-demand on the City’s YouTube channel 

FEBRUARY

26

American Red Cross Financial Assistance Application Deadline


If you live within the boundaries of the Palisades fires (as defined by CalOES), you may be eligible for this support. If you have received an invitation to apply for financial assistance, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) to speak to an agent about completing your enrollment. Click here for more information and to apply.

FEBRUARY

26

Navigating Your Content Claims

from 5:00 – 7:00 PM virtual via Zoom


In this webinar presented by United Policy Holders, you will learn how to tally up personal property/contents items that were damaged or destroyed so you can collect the full amount owed on those items and strategies for completing your home inventory and understanding depreciation. Click here to RSVP.

FEBRUARY

27

Rebuilding Homes, Businesses and Lives After California Wildfires

9:00 AM virtual via Zoom


This session provides a comprehensive guide to navigating rebuilding efforts with County and City agencies, including detailed rebuilding guides, executive orders and essential resources. Visit PaceLA-org to register today.

FEBRUARY

28

Los Angeles Area Small Business Response & Recovery Webinar

11:00 AM virtual via Zoom


All small businesses impacted by the LA Fires of January 2025 are invited to join this webinar to learn the latest resources to support small business and economic recovery from the wildfire disaster we are facing in LA County. To learn more and register click here.

REBUILD WALK-INS & APPOINTMENTS

Rebuild applications are now being accepted from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Appointments, either in-person or virtual, are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.


To make an in-person or virtual appointment for an initial rebuild consultation or to submit a rebuild application, call 310-456-2489 ext. 390 or email MalibuRecovers@malibucity.org.  


MEDIA INQUIRIES

Please direct all media inquiries to PIO@MalibuCity.org.

MORE INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Malibu Rebuilds

Community Resources

Small Business Resources

Agenda Center

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