Los Angeles County is offering free lead soil testing to residents in the Eaton and Palisades Fire burn areas. Homeowners can drop off soil samples at designated permit centers through December 2025.
Free Soil Testing Expanded for Fire-Affected Communities
Los Angeles County has expanded its free soil testing program to support homeowners affected by the Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire. The program is funded by the County’s Lead Paint Hazard Mitigation Program and provides no-cost soil lead analysis to residents living within or downwind of the burn areas.
The goal is to identify whether windblown ash and debris from the 2025 wildfires deposited lead into residential yards, a concern highlighted by post-fire assessments from LA County Public Health, CalTech, and independent researchers.
This program runs through December 2025 and may be extended based on community demand.
Who Qualifies for Free Testing?
Residents are eligible if they live:
A County map of eligible areas is available here:
https://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire-soil-testing/
You do not need to live directly within the burn scar to participate.
How to Submit Your Soil Sample
The process is simple:
1. Collect your sample (composite method)
https://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire-soil-testing/
2. Drop off your sample
For Eaton Fire residents:
Altadena One-Stop Permit Center
464 W. Woodbury Road, Suite 210, Altadena, CA
Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
For Palisades Fire residents:
Calabasas One-Stop Permit Center
27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasas, CA
Mon–Thu, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM
Fri, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM
3. Receive results by email
A certified laboratory will send results within 7–10 business days, along with follow-up guidance.
Why This Matters for Homeowners
Lead in soil is one of the most common hazards after a structure fire involving older buildings and strong winds. Children, pets, and anyone gardening or spending time in the yard are at higher risk of exposure.
Early testing helps homeowners:
For broader recovery resources, see the County’s central hub:
https://recovery.lacounty.gov/resources/
Insurance Considerations for Fire-Affected Homeowners
While soil testing itself is not part of the insurance claim process, the results often matter for:
Insurance carriers may downplay contamination levels or attribute findings to “pre-existing conditions.” If you encounter delays, mixed messages, or unclear guidance, a policyholder-only public adjuster can help you understand what should be covered.
Visit our wildfire assistance page for more details:
https://chrisfaberpublicadjusters.com/services/southern-california-wildfire-recovery/
Official County Resources
Homeowners in the Eaton and Palisades Fire burn areas can use the links below to access the core documents and instructions provided by Los Angeles County Public Health. These resources explain how to collect your soil sample, where to drop it off, and what to expect once results are processed.
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire-soil-testing/docs/Eaton_and_Palisades_fire_composite_soil_sample_lead_analysis_form-en.pdf
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire-soil-testing/docs/Soil-Sampling-Collection-Procedure-en.pdf
https://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire-soil-testing/
How Chris and Jo Support Fire Survivors
Chris and Jo Faber have managed over 40,000 property claims and work exclusively for California homeowners and business owners. They help protect policyholder rights during wildfire recovery, including:
If you need clarity on how soil testing affects your claim—or if you are starting a new fire damage claim—our team is here to help.
Free Claim Review
If you were affected by the Eaton or Palisades Fires and have questions about cleanup, contamination, or the next steps in your claim:
Contact us today for a free claim review.We’re here to support you as you navigate recovery.
