Bobcat, Lake Fire Victims Offered Free Debris Cleanup By County

LOS ANGELES, CA — County officials are offering free debris cleanup for victims of the Lake and Bobcat fires that decimated communities in 2020. The county partnered with Governor Gavin Newsom's Office of Emergency Services to provide fire debris removal services at no cost to qualifying residents.

The opt-in application is due January 15, while those who wish to opt out and handle debris removal independently must submit a clean-up plan by January 31. According to the county website, all debris must be taken away by March 15.

The Lake Fire, which broke out Aug. 12 near Lake Hughes, burned 31,089 acres and destroyed or damaged more than 15 homes and 21 buildings before being 100% contained more than a month later.

The Bobcat Fire erupted in the Angeles National Forest on Sept. 6, blackening about 116,000 acres, destroying 171 structures, including 87 residences and the Nature Center at the Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area, and threatened the Mt. Wilson Observatory. It damaged another 47 structures, including 28 residences, and took weeks to fully contain.

A list of eligibility requirements are available on the county website.

City News Service contributed to this report.