Federal agencies declined to conduct comprehensive soil testing following recent wildfires in Los Angeles County, leaving homeowners responsible for assessing potential toxic contamination. The decision breaks with nearly two decades of standard practice after major wildfires in California.
The Eaton and Palisades fires in January 2025 destroyed thousands of structures across Los Angeles, including many built before the 1978 ban on lead paint. The burning of these older homes and other urban materials is known to release toxic substances like heavy metals into the environment.
While federal crews led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed hazardous ash and up to six inches of topsoil from burned properties, they did not test the remaining soil for unsafe levels of contaminants. This step was previously standard practice to ensure properties were safe for rebuilding.
A recent investigation by the Los Angeles Times conducted its own soil testing on properties in Altadena and Pacific Palisades affected by the fires. The testing found levels of lead, arsenic, and mercury exceeding California safety standards for residential properties, even on some lots federal crews had cleared.
Health experts warn that exposure to these metals can pose serious risks. Lead is a potent neurotoxin, particularly harmful to children's cognitive development. Arsenic is a known carcinogen, and mercury can impair respiratory, kidney, and mental health. Gardeners and children playing outside face heightened risks.
Federal Emergency Management Agency officials stated their cleanup procedures are sufficient and that testing beyond immediate threats or addressing pre-existing contamination is not their responsibility under current guidelines. FEMA changed its policy in 2020, shifting the cost of testing and deeper excavation to states.
State and local officials have voiced concern over the lack of testing. The Newsom administration urged federal agencies to reconsider, but the state has not committed funds for the work. The City of Los Angeles plans to set aside L.A. will set aside $3 million to help owners of fire-damaged homes test their soil for lead. Los Angeles County arranged for some general soil sampling but will not inform individual homeowners of their specific property conditions.
Disaster recovery experts and environmental health scientists criticized the federal approach, noting it shifts the financial burden of ensuring safety onto individual property owners. This contrasts with responses to earlier fires like the 2018 Camp fire or the 2024 Mountain fire in Ventura County, where government agencies funded testing and repeat cleanup efforts until standards were met.
Meanwhile, scientists with the Desert Research Institute deployed to Los Angeles to collect ash, soil, and dust samples. Their research aims to understand the unique contaminants released by urban wildfires, including materials like plastics and electronics, to inform future safety measures.
As rebuilding begins in burn areas, many homeowners face the choice of paying several thousand dollars for private soil testing or proceeding with construction without knowing the contamination status of their land.
"It’s nothing but a smoke cloud,” Altadena resident Lupe Sanchez, whose property tested high for lead, said of the response from public officials. “Nothing’s being taken care of.”
