Fire Debris Removal
The August 2023 Maui Wildfires Disaster damaged or destroyed more than 2,000 Maui properties and will require a coordinated fire debris removal cleanup. The cleanup process includes two phases. Phase 1 is removal of hazardous materials; Phase 2 is removal of other fire-related debris.
The County of Maui will oversee priorities during the fire cleanup while working in partnership with state and federal agencies who are here to support the community with this process.
Overview of Phase 1 and 2
Phase 1: Hazardous Materials Removal
In coordination with the County of Maui and the State of Hawai‘i, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has assigned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to survey, remove and dispose of hazardous material from all properties impacted by the wildfires in Lahaina, Kula and Olinda.
Phase 1 of the debris removal process is the removal of hazardous materials that may impact human health, animals and the environment through exposure. Hazardous materials could include compressed gas cylinders, pesticides, paints, oils, fertilizers, ammunition and batteries (including lithium-ion batteries, particularly household solar battery storage systems). These items can contain hazardous ingredients and require special handling and disposal. For this effort, an initial EPA team will survey each property for work conditions, then a second EPA team will remove hazardous materials. A sign will be placed on each property indicating the status.
EPA is deeply aware and respectful of the immense cultural significance of the area. EPA has partnered with Native Hawaiian organization Nā ‘Aikāne o Maui to hire local cultural monitors and archaeologists familiar with the community of Lahaina to oversee and advise on EPA’s Phase 1 work.
EPA has developed an online resource tool that provides information on the process of hazardous materials removal and to answer questions on progress and completion status. For more information, visit Story Maps here.
Phase 2: Fire Debris Removal
Phase 2 is the removal of the remaining structural ash and debris as well as soil testing to ensure the site is clean, safe for rebuilding and free of potentially leached toxins. Phase 2 cleanup can only initiate after Phase 1 hazardous materials removal is complete.
The County of Maui, State of Hawai‘i, FEMA and local officials will coordinate with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to offer a government-sponsored debris removal program. The program will allow the Corps to conduct the safe removal and handling of fire-damaged debris from destroyed properties. Cultural awareness of the impacted communities is a top priority for the Corps. Cultural monitors guide the entire process to ensure outside agencies respect the community, culture and recovery efforts.
Maui County Consolidated Fire Debris Removal Program
To obtain service through the government-sponsored program, a property owner must complete a Right-of-Entry (ROE) form to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clean up a property. No removal of fire-damaged material will begin on private property without the permission of the property owner. The County is working to finalize the ROE form and open a Debris Removal ROE Processing Center in the coming days. County staff will be on hand at the ROE Processing Center to assist residents with filling out the appropriate paperwork for the voluntary fire debris removal program.
In exchange for the debris removal performed through the government-sponsored program, the property owner agrees that any insurance proceeds in their homeowner's insurance policy designated for debris removal will be collected. Property owners are not required to pay any additional money to the government agency other than designated debris proceeds in their policies. In no event shall the amount of insurance proceeds paid to the government agency exceed the costs charged by its contractor. In the event a property needs additional debris removal after the government agency's contractor has completed the removal under the ROE, all expenses incurred by a property owner for such additional removal will be paid first, and the remainder (if any) will be turned over to the managing government agency.
Private Fire Debris Removal (opt-out option)
Property owners who choose not to participate in the government-sponsored debris removal program must hire a private contractor to remove fire debris and clean up properties. Private debris removal is done at the homeowner’s expense and must meet or exceed the standards set by local, state and federal agencies. This includes compliance with all legal requirements for disposal, authorized disposal sites, best management practices for activities on site, proper transportation and documentation of debris, soil testing and erosion control. The County is currently working to develop the process, guidance documents and forms for private fire debris removal and will have the information published soon.
Right-of-Entry (ROE) Form Checklist for Property Owners
Preparing now to sign up for the government-sponsored debris removal program
The County of Maui is working with federal and state partners in a program to facilitate safe removal and handling of burn debris and ash. To obtain this service, homeowners must complete the proper paperwork to allow these agencies to clean up their properties. To learn more about the Right-of-Entry process please review the following:
Documents and information needed for submittal of the Debris Removal Right-of-Entry Permit:
This ROE can be submitted to ROE@mauirecovers.org OR send the physical copy of the ROE and accompanying documents to:
Public Works Department
Attn: ROE intake
200 S. High Street
Wailuku, HI 96793
FAQ for
Fire Debris Removal
What is the process for cleanup and removal of fire debris?
Fire debris removal is broken down into two phases:
Phase 1: Hazardous Materials Removal is the removal of hazardous materials that may impact human health, animals and the environment through exposure. In coordination with the County of Maui and the State of Hawai‘i, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has assigned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to survey, remove and dispose of hazardous material from all properties impacted by the wildfires in Lahaina, Kula and Olinda.
Hazardous materials could include compressed gas cylinders, pesticides, paints, oils, fertilizers, ammunition and batteries (including lithium-ion batteries, particularly household solar battery storage systems). These items can contain hazardous ingredients and require special handling and disposal.
Phase 2: Fire Debris Removal is the removal of the remaining structural ash and debris and may include soil testing. The County of Maui, State of Hawai‘i, FEMA and local officials will coordinate with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to offer a Consolidated Debris Removal Program. The program will allow the Corps to conduct the safe removal and handling of fire-damaged debris from destroyed properties.
A private fire debris removal process will be established for those who want to opt out of the Consolidated Debris Removal Program. The County is currently working to develop the process, guidance documents and forms for private contractor fire debris removal and will have the information published soon.
Is participation in both Phase 1 and 2 of the debris removal process mandatory?
Yes, fire-impacted properties with eligible debris are required to complete both Phase 1 and 2 of the program.
For Phase 1, all properties are required to have hazardous materials and waste removed. These items can be hazardous and require special handling and disposal. The EPA will complete this process for all fire-impacted properties. Phase 1 of the Program is being conducted at no cost to property owners.
Phase 2 debris removal by the Corps is optional; however, properties that opt out of this option are still required to provide for the timely removal of hazardous debris fields, and deadlines will be set by the County. Removal by a private contractor is authorized but must be done at the homeowner’s expense, and work done must meet or exceed the standards set by local, state and federal agencies. This includes compliance with all legal requirements for handling, disposal at authorized disposal sites, soil sampling and transportation. In addition, best management practices must be utilized along with work activity documentation and erosion control.
What debris is eligible for Phase 2 of the Consolidated Debris Removal Program?
Agreements are still being finalized, however it is expected that Phase 2 will include debris and ash removal related to any structures on residential properties that are at least 120 square feet. Driveways will be retained as much as possible, both for possible reuse and also to serve as a staging area for debris removal and rebuilding equipment. In many cases, concrete driveways have been weakened as a result of the heat from the fire and may crack easily during this phase.
How will I know that the process has started and completed?
Phase 1 is currently underway; EPA will post a sign on each property when hazardous waste removal is complete, and will also notify the broader community when hazardous materials removal is completed in an entire neighborhood. View EPA’s online resource tool, which provides information on their process, progress and completion status: bit.ly/EPAprogress
Once a Right-of-Entry (ROE) form is signed for Phase 2, Army Corps employees will contact homeowners that are enrolled in the Consolidated Debris Removal Program via phone 24-48 hours in advance to provide notice of work start times. The Corps’ contractor is required to provide the Corps a formal report of completion. The Corps will provide those reports to the county, and the county will notify homeowners. A Phase 2 map, showing progress, will be published once work gets underway.
How much will Phase 2 cost?
If you had insurance in effect at the time of the wildfire that provides coverage for debris removal, it is required that those funds, if not used for rebuilding, go toward reimbursement of Program costs. In most cases, the cost of debris removal will be greater than the insurance available. Reimbursement amount will not exceed the costs of debris removal on your specific property. If coverage for debris removal is not a separate insurance category, any reimbursement for debris removal will be limited to the unused benefit amount (if any) in that coverage category after the residence is rebuilt. If the full amount of general coverage is used for rebuilding, you will not be responsible for any reimbursement.
If you participate in Phase 2 of the program, we recommend that you consult with your insurance carrier to confirm how much is dedicated to debris removal. If your site will require private debris removal in addition to what is covered under Phase 2 of the Consolidated Debris Removal Program, you can use your debris insurance proceeds to cover those costs, and will only be expected to provide the remainder (if any) to reimburse the Program. If you do not have insurance the Program will be provided at no cost.
FAQ for
Fire Debris Removal
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