L.A. County steps in to test soil for contaminants after fires

In response to growing concerns from residents, Los Angeles County plans to conduct comprehensive soil testing in the areas affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires. On February 19, 2025, officials announced this initiative, highlighting the absence of significant testing by federal and state authorities. The testing will aim to address fears regarding potential toxic materials embedded in the ground following these fires. The Public Health department will oversee air, water, and soil sampling as part of this extensive post-fire assessment. The aim is to provide residents with crucial information about the safety of their properties. Many local residents have expressed outrage over the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Army Corps of Engineers, and the State of California's reluctance to conduct additional soil testing in these regions. Previous instances involving other California fires had seen federal agencies take more proactive measures. The residents' concerns center not only on immediate health risks but also on the long-term impact on property values, raising the stakes for a community still grappling with recovery from these natural disasters. In addition to the county's efforts, researchers from Loyola Marymount University, UCLA, and Purdue University are also collaborating on a project aimed at helping homeowners conduct soil testing voluntarily. Their initiative offers free soil sampling for residents, collecting samples from yards, gardens, and pools to test for possible wildfire pollutants. This project is a crucial attempt to engage the community in proactive measures and inform them about contamination risks as the data will be made publicly available. The University’s Community Action Project LA program not only involves specific sampling but also aims to map results by neighborhood, making it easier for residents to understand the potential risks. All residents participating in this initiative are expected to receive results one to two weeks after samples are collected, reflecting a commitment to transparency in the ongoing recovery process. The collaboration emphasizes that informed communities can better define their recovery trajectory, ensuring that local experiences and concerns are taken into account in decision-making processes moving forward.