Pasadena Lawmaker’s Wildfire Safety Bill Advances in Assembly Committee

Monte Cedro in Altadena (Photo – MonteCedroSeniorLiving)

Asmb. John Harabedian announced Tuesday that Assembly Bill 1642 has passed its first and only Assembly policy committee, the California State Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, marking an early step forward for legislation aimed at protecting families returning home after wildfires.

By News Desk

The bill seeks to establish clear, statewide science-based standards for determining when homes are safe to reenter following wildfire damage. Lawmakers and advocates say that after a fire, families often return to properties filled with ash, burned structures, and potentially toxic debris, with little consistent guidance about health risks.

“Today’s victory shows progress and hope,” Harabedian said. “It proves that when we listen to people’s real experiences and follow the science, we can create solutions that protect families and communities. This is only the first step, but it’s an important one.”

The legislation was introduced after feedback from survivors of the Eaton Fire, including sponsoring organization Eaton Fire Residents United, along with scientists, experts, and other wildfire survivors who reported confusion and potential health risks when returning to their homes.

Advocates say the measure is needed because homes affected by wildfire may still contain dangerous contaminants long after flames are extinguished.

“People are living, learning, and working in places that may still be contaminated with lead and asbestos from the devastating LA fires — and that is an urgent public health risk,” Eaton Fire Residents United said in a statement. “AB 1642 creates clear, science-based statewide standards for testing and cleanup of indoor and soil contamination, so families aren’t forced to choose between coming home and protecting their health. We’re celebrating that AB 1642 was approved in committee, but there’s a long road ahead. These protections are imperative for our families and communities.”

Researchers studying wildfire contamination say the danger can extend beyond the immediate burn zone. Francois Tissot, a professor of geochemistry at California Institute of Technology, said testing conducted after the Eaton Fire found toxic metals spreading into homes across a wide area.

“The data we collected after the Eaton Fire tells a clear story: lead and other toxic heavy metals released by the fire have contaminated homes both within and well beyond the fire zone,” Tissot said. “The risk is greatest for children, whose developing bodies absorb lead in place of calcium, causing irreversible cognitive damage and other serious harm. As a victim of the fire and an isotope geochemist who has studied this contamination firsthand, I’m thankful to Asm. Harabedian for authorizing AB 1642 to provide essential standards for wildfire survivors.”

Assembly Bill 1642 will next be considered by the California State Assembly Committee on Appropriations.