The devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles neighborhoods like Altadena and the Palisades have left behind more than charred remains and ash-covered streets. As the city races to rebuild before hosting major international events, a largely invisible workforce of immigrant laborers has emerged as the backbone of recovery efforts.
These workers, many undocumented, face a dangerous combination of toxic exposure, exploitative working conditions, and the constant fear of deportation under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
The scale of destruction is staggering—the fires killed 30 people and destroyed approximately 16,000 structures, making this one of California’s most devastating disasters. Yet amid the rubble and toxic debris, workers continue their essential but hazardous task of cleaning up communities, often without adequate protection or fair compensation.
Toxic Exposure in Fire Zones
The debris scattered across burn zones presents serious health risks that extend far beyond visible ash and soot. Fire cleanup sites contain a dangerous cocktail of toxic substances, including carcinogens like Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), formaldehyde, benzene, and harmful metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium.
Soil testing has revealed dangerous levels of lead contamination in and around the Eaton fire burn zone, likely from lead-based paint in older housing stock.
Workers face both immediate and long-term health consequences from exposure to these hazardous materials. Without proper protective equipment, they risk developing breathing issues, lung scarring, and cancer. The fine particles in soot and ash can cause skin and lung irritation, shortness of breath, and exposure to cancer-causing agents.
Despite these well-documented dangers, many cleanup workers continue their jobs with inadequate or no personal protective equipment.
Pedro Ramos, a Guatemalan worker cleaning debris in Altadena, acknowledged the toxic nature of his work while wearing only a thin medical mask. “The truth is that it’s toxic,” he said, “but it’s necessary to work to pay the rent and bills for my family”.
Two-Tiered System of Worker Protection
The cleanup operation reveals a stark divide in worker treatment and safety standards. Federal contractors hired for official debris removal provide their workers with comprehensive protection, including Tyvek suits and industrial-grade respirators. These workers receive proper training and follow established safety protocols as required by law.
However, a parallel informal economy has emerged that operates outside these safety standards. Contractors routinely pick up immigrant day laborers from corners near Home Depot and transport them to burn zones without providing training or protective equipment.
This secondary industry bypasses formal processes and leaves workers “at the mercy of the people who bring them to the site”.
The disparity is evident in worker experiences. While some cleanup crews receive OSHA training through organizations like the Pasadena Community Job Center, others work for as little as $17 per hour without any safety preparation. One worker reported being taken to a burn zone, asked to pick up debris and put it in trash bags without protective gear, only to develop eye irritation and then not receive payment.
Systemic Exploitation and Enforcement Gaps
The exploitation of immigrant workers in disaster cleanup is not unique to Los Angeles—it represents a nationwide pattern following climate disasters. Research on previous disasters reveals troubling statistics: only 15% of day laborers working in hurricane-affected areas in New Orleans after Hurricane Ida received required training, while more than 90% reported wage theft during post-disaster recovery work.
The vulnerability of these workers is compounded by their immigration status and fear of deportation. Under the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies, workers are reluctant to report unsafe conditions or wage theft, knowing that speaking out could result in arrest and deportation. This climate of fear creates ideal conditions for exploitative contractors to operate with impunity.
Despite California’s workplace safety regulations, enforcement appears inadequate given the scale of the problem. Cal/OSHA is responsible for regulating worker safety, but critics question the agency’s enforcement efforts at burn sites. While the state has provided $6 million in funding to 21 community groups for workplace outreach, the gap between official safety requirements and actual working conditions remains significant.
Pressure to Rebuild Quickly
The urgency to rebuild Los Angeles adds another layer of complexity to worker safety concerns. The city faces immense pressure to recover before hosting a series of major international events: the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics. This timeline creates incentives to prioritize speed over safety, potentially compromising worker protection in the rush to restore damaged areas.
Government officials have emphasized the rapid pace of cleanup efforts, with the EPA announcing that workers cleared more than 9,000 properties in just 28 days—the largest wildfire waste cleanup in the agency’s history.
While this efficiency is necessary for community recovery, it raises questions about whether adequate time is being allocated for proper worker training and safety measures.
The situation in Los Angeles reflects a broader national challenge: as climate disasters become more frequent and severe, immigrant workers increasingly serve as “second responders” in recovery efforts. Their essential role in rebuilding communities deserves recognition through fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection from exploitation, regardless of immigration status.