New FEMA Policy on Wildfire Cleanup Leaves Toxic Contaminants Behind

Rebuilding after a wildfire is challenging in more ways than one, and fire victims are now facing an additional obstacle. A recent change in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s wildfire cleanup policy could leave homeowners and communities at risk of lingering contamination.

FEMA is set to contribute to the fire cleanup by removing wildfire ash, debris, and six inches of topsoil from affected properties, but they have decided not to conduct additional soil testing afterward to confirm that the land is safe and free of toxins. This shift means homeowners, businesses, and school districts may have to cover the cost of additional testing and cleanup themselves.

Why This Matters

Wildfire ash can contain dangerous toxins like arsenic, lead and benzene, according to the California Department of Public Health. These substances pose serious health risks and can seep deeper than six inches into the soil, contaminating not just the soil but water sources as well. Without this testing, there’s a risk that harmful pollutants will go undetected. The 2018 Camp Fire cleanup in Northern California revealed that over 4,200 properties still had toxic chemicals exceeding state safety standards even after the initial debris removal.

FEMA’s Justification

FEMA has argued that contamination beyond the six inches of topsoil may not be caused by the wildfire itself and could be a preexisting issue. However, for those rebuilding their homes and lives, the source of the contamination isn’t the point.

What matters is if the land is truly safe. No family wants to move back onto soil that contains hazardous substances, regardless of how they got there.

Vineet Dubey of CD Law says, “You don’t want to rebuild on a lot full of lead and mercury which are chemicals that could poison your family in the future and potentially give them cancer.” Click HERE to visit our Instagram page to hear more from Vineet on FEMA’s decision.

What You Can Do

If you or someone you know is in the process of rebuilding after a wildfire, consider additional soil testing beyond FEMA’s cleanup. Local environmental agencies and private testing services can provide a more comprehensive assessment to ensure your land is truly safe.