The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a motion co-authored by Chair Kathryn Barger and Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath to expand soil testing for lead contamination and support remediation efforts in communities affected by the Eaton and Palisades Fires.
The motion also calls on California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to explore cost-effective ways for insurance companies to support soil testing and remediation, including volume purchasing agreements or low-cost financing for homeowners.
“It’s been ten months since the wildfires and far too many survivors are still living with uncertainty about whether their soil is safe,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “While I commend our Department of Public Health for providing no-cost soil testing, resources for actual soil remediation remain a critical gap. Residents deserve clear answers and tangible support. This motion supports the partnerships needed to restore confidence and peace of mind and reinforces our advocacy with Commissioner Lara’s office. Fire survivors should not have to wait—the insurance sector must step up.”
The fires displaced destroyed over 16,000 structures and burned more than 40,000 acres. While rebuilding is underway, community concerns about lead contamination remain. To address this, the motion puts the County’s support behind the Community-Oriented Network for Scientific Observation, Recovery and Tracking of Impacts from Urban Megafires (CONSORTIUM)—an interdisciplinary group representing teams from various universities and institutions—and urges the California Community Foundation to award its recently granted $2 million in State funding to remediate homes with the highest levels of lead in the Eaton fire area.
The Department of Public Health will also expand its free soil lead testing program to residents living within and downwind of the Palisades burn area.
“This motion expands soil testing for both Palisades and Eaton Fire survivors who deserve our full partnership as we recover from January’s devastation,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “As initial remediation funds reach property owners with the highest lead levels, we will keep working with our State and philanthropic partners to expand support for all impacted communities. Los Angeles County will continue listening and responding to our residents’ needs as they rebuild.”
In addition, the Chief Executive Officer will report back within 60 days on additional funding sources to expand testing and cleanup, while Los Angeles County’s Center for Strategic Partnerships and Department of Public Health, in collaboration with community stakeholders, will seek philanthropic, private, and government support to extend remediation to all fire-affected properties.