Schiff, a leader in California’s congressional delegation and who pressed FEMA to extend the deadline for federal disaster assistance, affirmed that he has been “staying on it” to make sure that additional federal funding is on the way for victims.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has been pressing Congress since February to approve $40 billion in fire aid to help Los Angeles County recover from the January wildfires.

Responding to a request from L.A. County officials, Fenton also expanded the scope of the cleanup for property types that had previously not been eligible for the debris removal.

Those types now include occupied condominiums, multifamily units, certain commercial properties and mobile homes, according to Fenton.

“Regarding residential commercial properties, I have determined residential commercial properties that contain at least one owner-occupied home will be treated in the same manner as approved residential properties for the entire structure,” Fenton wrote. “This will include most condominium and other multifamily buildings even where there may be a mix of owner-occupied and rental units within the same building.”

He said the approval for debris removal does not include multifamily rental properties that are entirely owned by for-profit entities, such as apartment buildings. Those will continue to be treated as commercial properties, which will still be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

As of Wednesday, the county had received 9,756 responses from people opting in to the right-of-entry program, and 1,022 from people opting out.

By opting in, property owners enable Army Corps of Engineers teams to enter a property and clean up its ash and debris, preparing it for the property owner’s rebuild.

The main issues that have deterred people from filling out the form are over insurance concerns, according L.A. County officials.

Because the corps will not remove hardscapes, such as driveways, patios and specialty features, like spas and pools, those removal processes must be contracted out.

Insurance can cover the costs depending on individual eligibility, officials said this week. They added that some people have delayed opting in or out because they are considering contracting out the entire cleanup process, as opposed to using both the government program and then a contractor later.

Officials estimated about 490 sites have been cleaned up by the corps across both burn areas.

Local officials to the governor’s office applauded the extension.

“Altadena residents have been through unimaginable loss in the wake of the Eaton Fire and have been confronted with compounding responsibilities and logistical challenges to begin rebuilding,” L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement. “I am thankful to FEMA for extending the deadline for residents to submit their ROE forms so they have more breathing room to fully understand their options and make an informed decision about debris removal.”

Federal debris removal program eligibility

Single-family properties

Private, residential single-family properties are eligible.

Homeowners must opt in to debris removal by submitting a right-of-entry form by the April 15 deadline.

Multifamily properties

Owner occupied

Each owner of a destroyed unit in a condominium or duplex must submit a right-of-entry form, as well as the homeowner’s association of the building. This allows the county, state and FEMA to assess the property for eligibility for the Private Property Debris Removal program.

Residential commercial properties that contain at least one owner-occupied home are eligible for federally funded debris removal. This includes most condominium and some multifamily buildings, even if there is a mix of owner-occupied and rental units within the same building.

Renter occupied

Rental units are generally not eligible. The owner of the apartment business is expected to use their insurance and hire a licensed contractor to conduct debris removal. See guidance for commercial properties below. Apartment tenants may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program to help them rent another place to live and/or replace personal property that was destroyed in the fire.

Commercial properties

Generally, commercial properties are not eligible for federally funded debris removal. FEMA has limited abilities to fund the cleanup. Commercial property owners should work with their insurance company and begin debris removal as soon as possible.

Apply online at disasterassistance.gov, by calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or by visiting a disaster recovery center.

If extenuating circumstances exist, businesses owners should communicate them to the county. Businesses may also qualify for U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loans to assist in their recovery and supplement insurance. To apply for such a loan, property owners should visit sba.gov/disaster, call 1-800-659-2955 or visit a disaster recovery center or business recovery center. The deadline for submitting a Small Business Administration disaster loan application is Monday.

Public buildings and eligible private nonprofits

Public applicants and eligible private nonprofits that perform an essential service may be eligible for debris removal.

For more information on debris removal, visit the L.A. County Recovers website, at recovery.lacounty.gov/debris-removal/, or call the county’s Public Works Fire Debris Hotline, at 844-347-3332.

Staff writer Gladys Vargas contributed to this report.