Barger Responds to Concerns Over Wildfire Soil Testing in Eaton Fire Zone

(Top) Victoria’s cleared property. (Bottom) Matilija poppies blooming in the front yard (File Photos – Victoria Knapp)

In response to recent reporting by the Los Angeles Times concerning the State’s internal deliberations on reimbursing Los Angeles County for soil testing and remediation efforts in the Eaton Fire burn area, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued a statement clarifying the challenges involved and outlining the County’s ongoing efforts to address concerns.

By News Desk

Barger emphasized that the idea of the State reimbursing the County for conducting soil testing in the fire-affected region was never a feasible option, citing significant fiscal constraints currently facing Los Angeles County. “While that approach may have been discussed internally, it fails to reflect the serious fiscal constraints our County is facing,” Barger said. “Los Angeles County is managing ongoing wildfire recovery efforts, the loss of federal funding for core services, and extraordinary financial obligations stemming from AB 218–the Gonzalez bill—including billions of dollars in litigation and settlement costs.”

The Supervisor highlighted that these financial challenges have been exacerbated by a reduction in property tax revenues, further complicating the County’s ability to bear the upfront cost of soil testing. Barger made it clear that asking the County to fund such testing, with the promise of later reimbursement from the State, would place an undue burden on taxpayers and potentially jeopardize essential public services.

However, Barger also expressed her commitment to helping the survivors of the Eaton Fire. “I am determined to not let Eaton Fire survivors navigate these concerns on their own,” she said. “I am actively working with nonprofit partners, local researchers, and universities to deploy a pilot soil testing program that can help fill immediate gaps while longer-term solutions are pursued.”

In addition to these efforts, Barger pointed to existing resources already available to wildfire survivors in the County. “Los Angeles County has made lead testing resources available to wildfire survivors, including household lead testing and blood lead testing through our public health system, to ensure families have access to timely information and care.”

Barger’s statement underscored her ongoing commitment to public health and community recovery in the wake of the Eaton Fire. “These efforts reflect my continued commitment to public health, transparency, and supporting communities as they recover,” she added.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Nancy Ward, California’s disaster chief, retired in December amid criticism over the state’s indecision on soil testing for fire survivors in the Eaton and Palisades fire zones. The issue arose when FEMA agreed to cover most of the cleanup costs but refused to fund soil testing, which is crucial for ensuring homes are not contaminated with toxic substances like lead and arsenic. Ward had pushed FEMA to reconsider, but her efforts were unsuccessful. Internal discussions at Cal OES also explored ending state-funded soil testing, though the agency maintained no policy changes had been made.

While costly, soil testing is seen as essential for public health. Skipping it, however, could lead to long-term financial and health issues. As state and federal officials debated the issue, residents in the affected areas were left to assess the risks on their own.