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Figure 1: Debris Removal Milestones

Figure 1: Debris Removal Milestones

Hangar 1 Debris Removal Monthly Update

July 2025

  • The Navy’s contractor has published a final work plan to address the remaining debris and steel/concrete structures within the North Hangar (Hangar 1) footprint. It was rigorously reviewed by local, state, and federal regulatory agencies for comment and approval. Reviewers included the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Santa Ana Region), City of Tustin (City), Orange County Health Care Agency, South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command, and California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery.
  • The Navy has awarded $105.8 million under the Cooperative Agreement with the City for the City’s emergency response. The Navy is continuing to work with the City to bring the response to the Hangar fire to a close.

Fieldwork Progress - July 2025

Navy fieldwork for the abatement and removal of fire related debris within the footprint of Hangar 1 began July 8, 2024, and was completed on June 24, 2025 (Photo 20). Selective deconstruction and demobilization activities were completed in July 2025 (Photo 21). This final update provides a brief summary of activities conducted. A full activity summary report is currently being prepared, and the final document will be made available on the BRAC website. To be notified when the final document is available, subscribe for notifications here: click this link

Debris consolidation and removal:
  • 10 Negative pressure containment units (CUs) were built that individually supported the decontamination and consolidation steps of the debris removal from within the Hangar 1 footprint. The CUs were built over work areas to prevent fugitive dust emissions (Photos 1, 6, 7, 8, & 10). The CUs were numbered CU-1 through CU-10 from south to north (Figure 1). Work started with CUs 1 & 10 at the ends of the Hangar and continued inward two at a time until complete with CUs 5 & 6.
  • Negative pressure within the CU's was tested and confirmed before packaging fire debris and sealing transport bins for off-site disposal. Based on laboratory results, debris was characterized as non-Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) waste or RCRA waste and then transported for offsite disposal (Photo 4).
  • 100% of the Hangar 1 footprint was completed on June 24, 2025 (CU-1 through CU-10; Figure 1 and Photos 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 14, 18, & 21):
  • After completion of the last CU, air monitoring for asbestos was discontinued around the Hangar 1 footprint and surrounding community on June 24, 2025 (Photo 5).
  • Dust monitoring continued through demolition activities in July (see below).
Hangar 1 Structural Assessments:
  • Structural assessments were completed for the four remaining concrete hangar towers and support ribs. No significant issues were identified with the towers, but four support ribs were identified for deconstruction (see deconstruction below). A report is underway to document the findings of the structural assessment.
Selective Deconstruction:
  • Safety hazards (protrusions, items that could fall, enclosed concrete rooms, etc.) were removed (Photo 16 and 22) from the towers and support ribs, and the tower doors were sealed (Photo 23).
  • Hangar stabilization system wires were lowered to the ground utilizing cranes and removed from the metal towers (Photos 17 & 19).
  • The two metal towers were cut at the base and safely pulled over in a controlled fall to the ground on July 2, 2025 (Photo 24) and later dismantled for scrap metal recycling.
  • Four damaged support ribs and the small concrete rooms that were located along the sides of the original Hangar 1 structure were deconstructed utilizing excavator equipment and crushed for disposal purposes (Photo 22). The steel was recycled, and the concrete was properly disposed.
  • Dust suppression and air monitoring were performed during deconstruction activities under a permit from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) to mitigate fugitive dust.
    • Five locations were monitored for dust – one upwind location south of Hangar 1 and four perimeter locations along Valencia Ave. between Armstrong Ave. and Legacy Rd.
    • Results remained below air quality thresholds.
  • All contractor equipment and supporting infrastructure were removed from site by July 24, 2025.
Waste Disposal:
All waste removed from site was manifested and properly disposed of at an appropriate waste disposal facility. Documentation of disposal will be included in the upcoming activity summary report.
 
  • Scrap Metal – 549.91 Tons (32 trucks)
  • Total Non-hazardous Waste (Concrete) – approximately 1,300 Tons (estimated total by receiving facility; 65 trucks)
  • Total Non-Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Waste – 3,214.84 Tons (557 bins)
    • Non-RCRA (Hangar 1 fire debris) – 2,477.87 Tons (428 bins)
    • Non-RCRA (City of Tustin response efforts) – 736.97 tons (129 bins)
      • Ground-level cleanup – 693.71 (119 bins)
      • Aboveground cleanup – 43.26 (10 bins)
  • RCRA Waste – 76.71 Tons (12 bins)
  Fieldwork Photos at Hangar 1:        
           
  Completed Negative Pressure Containment Units     Debris Consolidation and Decontamination  
  Photo 1 - Completed Negative Pressure Containment Units
(CUs) at South (CU-1) and North (CU-10) ends of Hangar 1
footprint - August 2024		     Photo 2 - Ongoing Debris Consolidation & Decontamination
within the Negative Pressure Containment Units at Hangar 1
- September 2024		  
  Debris in Containment Waste Vessels Staged for Offsite Disposal     Covered Waste Management Vehicle  
  Photo 3 - Hangar 1 Debris in Containment Waste Vessels Staged
for Offsite Disposal - September 2024		     Photo 4 - Enclosed Top Waste Management Vehicle - July 2024  
 
Field Service of Air Monitoring Stations


 
 





 
     East Side CU Construction To Support Debris Removal & Prevent Fugitive Dust  
  Photo 5 - Field Service of Air Monitoring Stations - August 2024     Photo 6 - East Side CU Construction to Support Debris
Removal & Prevent Fugitive Dust - November 2024		  
  Completed CU-10 (debris cleared space in front) and newly constructed CU-9 (foreground)     Reinforced barrier around the perimeter of Hangar 1 Footprint  
  Photo 7 - Completed CU-10 (debris cleared space in front) and
newly constructed CU-9 (foreground) - December 2024		     Photo 8 - Reinforced barrier around the perimeter of Hangar 1
Footprint – December 2024		  
  Hangar 1 perimeter wall and CU-2 damage following Santa Ana winds     Deconstruction of CU-9 after debris removal  
  Photo 9 - Hangar 1 perimeter wall and CU-2 damage following
Santa Ana winds - January 2025		     Photo 10 - Deconstruction of CU-9 after debris
removal - January 2025		  
  Scaffold Frame Construction of Containment Unit 08     CU-3 waste truck pick up of consolidated bulk debris removal staged in green waste bins.  
  Photo 11 - Scaffold Frame Construction of Containment Unit 08
- February 2025		     Photo 12 - CU-3 Waste Truck Pick Up of Consolidated Bulk
Debris Removal Staged in Green Waste Bins  - March 2025		  
  CU-4 waste truck pick up of consolidated bulk debris removal staged in green waste bins     Completed CU-4 prior to breaking down containment  
  Photo 13 - CU-4 Waste Truck Pick Up of Consolidated Bulk
Debris Removal Staged in Green Waste Bins - April 2025		     Photo 14 - Completed CU-4 Prior To Breaking Down Containment - May 2025  
  CU-5 Waste Field, Completed CU-4 & Partially Constructed CU-6     Hazard Removal  
  Photo 15 - CU-5 Waste Field (Center); Completed CU-4 (Left)
& Partially Constructed CU-6 (Right) - May 2025		     Photo 16 - Hazard Removal - May 2025  
  Guy Wires & Metal Tower     CU-5 & CU-6 scaffolding deconstruction  
Photo 18 - CU-5 & CU-6 Scaffolding Deconstruction - June 2025
Removing Hangar Wires; Guy Wires Still Connected
  Photo 17 - Guy Wires & Metal Tower - May 2025     Photo 19 - Removing Hangar Wires; Guy Wires Still Connected - June 2025  
  100% Completed Debris Removal & Deconstruction of CU 1 thru 10, Metal Towers and Cables Removed (South View)     100% Completed Debris Removal & Deconstruction of CU 1 thru 10, Metal Towers and Cables Removed (North View)  
  Photo 20 - 100% Completed Debris Removal & Deconstruction of CU 1 thru 10, Metal Towers and Cables Removed (South View) - July 2025     Photo 21 - 100% Completed Debris Removal & Deconstruction of CU 1 thru 10, Metal Towers and Cables Removed (North View) - July 2025  
  Deconstructing Concrete Rooms and Damaged Support Ribs     Sealed Door to Hangar Tower  
  Photo 22 - Deconstructing Concrete Rooms and Damaged Support Ribs - July 2025     Photo 23 - Sealed Door to Hangar Tower - July 2025  
  Felling of Metal Tower (East)        
  Photo 24 - Felling of Metal Tower (East) - July 2025        

 
   

Scope Of Work

Collapse All Expand All
Expand List item 1403Collapse List item 1403  Debris Consolidation, Stabilization, Characterization, and Disposal
  • Various media will be sampled such as plywood planks, paint chips, asbestos, mixed debris including burned ash material, fire damaged wood, and others.
  • Analytical laboratory data will help identify contaminants present in the debris and properly characterize the waste for offsite disposal.
Expand List item 1411Collapse List item 1411  Abatement and Demolition of Steel Hangar Doors
  • The Navy will evaluate and collect samples from the steel hangar doors to identify any contaminant risks (such as asbestos or lead). The doors will be broken down, debris will be consolidated based on the specific materials, and the waste will be characterized and disposed or recycled.
Expand List item 1412Collapse List item 1412  Structural Evaluation
  • After debris has been removed, four concrete towers and side structures will be assessed for fire damage, safety, and current structural integrity to determine what structures require demolition versus remaining in place.
Expand List item 1413Collapse List item 1413  Dust Suppression and Air Monitoring
  • To protect the community, containment units (CU) will be constructed utilizing negative pressure and reinforced flame-retardant poly to stage and store debris. The CUs will be built over work areas to prevent fugitive dust. As areas are cleared, the CUs will be moved to the next area for debris management.
  • Additionally, the Navy will utilize dust control and suppression techniques while debris removal activities are conducted.
  • The Navy will continue air monitoring daily in and around the Hangar 1 footprint and in the Columbus Square Community using 19 DustTrak stations (Photo 5).

Hangar 1 Background

Collapse All Expand All
Expand List item 1414Collapse List item 1414  A fire was reported in the North Hangar (Hangar 1) ...
  • A fire was reported in the North Hangar (Hangar 1) at former MCAS Tustin on Tuesday November 7, 2023. Due to the potential health risks, cleanup activities within the community began promptly and are ongoing. The Navy and the City of Tustin (City) entered into a Cooperative Agreement for the City’s emergency response and community cleanup services on November 11, 2023.
Expand List item 1415Collapse List item 1415  Debris from the fire consisted of numerous types of building materials ...
  • Debris from the fire consisted of numerous types of building materials, including asbestos and lead-based paint as a result of the age of the construction. The Navy has deconstructed and removed the hangar doors and is in the process of removing the fire debris within the Hangar 1 footprint. After cleanup, remaining hangar structures will be evaluated and removed if unsafe. A report documenting field activities and waste disposal documentation will follow (see milestone figure for approximate timeline).

Frequently Asked Questions

Collapse All Expand All
Expand List item 1418Collapse List item 1418  What will I see and what will be happening?
  • Workers wearing safety gear, heavy equipment, waste hauling trucks, large tented work areas, and spraying of water and/or tackifier to prevent fugitive dust.
  • Waste hauling trucks entering the site at the intersection of Victory Ave. and Armstrong Ave.
  • Air monitoring equipment on tripods at various locations at and around the perimeter of the site.
  • 24/7 security guards and lights at night to maintain site security.
Expand List item 1419Collapse List item 1419  What safety measures are being taken to protect the community?
  • ​Work will occur within tented structures under negative pressure (vacuum) to prevent dust from escaping in accordance with South Coast Air Quality Management District District Rule 1403 for asbestos abatement and under a site-specific Health and Safety Plan prepared in accordance with California Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines.
  • 24/7 real-time outdoor air monitoring for dust will be conducted continuously at the site and nearby neighborhoods to ensure dust does not escape into the community. Based on monitoring reports, additional measures could be made, including, but not limited to, stopping work.
  • Waste will be consolidated into sealed containers for offsite disposal, and trucks will be decontaminated before leaving the site.

Who To Contact

For questions or concerns about the abatement and removal of onsite debris at Hangar 1 you may contact the Navy and your local stakeholder representatives here: click this link

Administrative Record: click this link

Helpful Links:
Final Work Plan, Hangar 1 Debris Removal, Tustin CA: click this link
DTSC work notice: click this link
City of Tustin Fire Response Page: click this link

 
Website Updated: 02 July 2025

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