51�Թ�

“A lot of people are really rushing to rebuild and that’s concerning,” says attendee Elliott Hostetter, a resident of Altadena who lost his home in the Eaton fire.

When Avichal arrived in February from his base in Virginia, there were only 20 crews clearing lots in Altadena.

Workers have found asbestos in more than 60% of homes in Altadena and more than 40% in the extended Palisades fire zone.

The scope of the unfinished work came into clearer focus last week, with the passing of the April 15 deadline for residents of Altadena, Pacific Palisades and Malibu to opt in or out of the cleanup.

Sonny Avichal, the West Point graduate overseeing the Altadena fire cleanup.