"The patchwork efforts to identify and safely remove contamination left by the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires has been akin to the Wild West. Experts have given conflicting guidance on best practices. Shortly after the fires, the federal government suddenly refused to adhere to California's decades-old post-fire soil-testing policy; California later considered following suit. Meanwhile, insurance companies have resisted remediation practices widely recommended by scientists for still-standing homes."
"The bill, AB 1642, would task the state's Department of Toxic Substances Control with creating standards by July 1, 2027. The standards would only serve as guidance - not requirements - but even that would be helpful, advocates say. "Guidance, advisories - those are extremely helpful for families that are trying to return home safely," said Nicole Maccalla, who leads data science efforts with Eaton Fire Re"
Conflicting guidance from scientists, insurers, and government agencies has left homeowners uncertain about when it is safe to return after the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires. The federal government stopped following California's long-standing post-fire soil-testing policy, and California later considered similar changes. Insurers have resisted scientist-recommended remediation practices for still-standing homes, creating inconsistent cleanup approaches. Bill AB 1642 would direct the Department of Toxic Substances Control to develop statewide science-based standards for testing and removing wildfire-deposited contamination in still-standing homes, workplaces, schools, and surrounding soil by July 1, 2027. The standards would be advisory rather than mandatory but could improve public health protections and help families return home more safely.
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