March 21, 2026 - The Town of Chinese Camp in Tuolumne County completed its debris cleanup operations within six months of the TCU September Lightning Complex Fire.
On September 2, 2025, the TCU Lightning Complex Fire burned through the historic town, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of residents. The fire burned thousands of acres of land and destroyed more than 90 homes and buildings.
As part of the cleanup process following the fire, Cal OES was on the ground providing technical assistance by clearing burned properties and safely removing hazardous materials. Two Cal OES Debris Operations staff were deployed to help with private property debris removal programs.
The Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services led the cleanup process. Cal OES was part of a larger team of agencies, including county staff, debris removal companies, assessment and monitoring companies, environmental regulators, tribal partners and more.
The Cal OES Environmental and Historic Preservation team worked with the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the California Natural Resources Conservation Agency (CNRA) to create the county’s Environmental Protection Plan. The plan helped speed up its debris removal work without delays.
Cal OES also helped the county connect with other state agencies as part of the town’s recovery phase. 
Source: Cal OES
