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After the tests discovered an increase in lead levels in soil near the Eton Fireburn area, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion Tuesday to allocate $3 million to help affected property owners conduct more detailed testing.
The county public health department last week released test results showing levels of lead above the health screening threshold for soils downwind from the Eton Fire.
“The source of lead in a fire is reasonably expected to be from burning homes with lead-based paint, which was common before 1979,” according to the department. “Caltech reported that more than 90% of the Altadena homes had been built before 1975.”
“As the Los Angeles area has many potential lead sources in the soil, additional assessments will help us understand how much lead found in our samples came from the 2025 wildfires and other sources,” the county agency said.
The county is expected to issue its final report in May.
The Health Department said that in all areas where there are ongoing fire debris, residents are reminded to inhal, ingest, absorb, contact ash, soot and/or fire debris, and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
“In addition, we recommend that community members review soil sampling results and consider taking appropriate precautions if they are one of the areas that are exceeding the soil sample screening threshold,” they said.
To help property owners with that work, board chair Kathryn Burger introduced a motion Tuesday to make the funds available within a mile within the radius of the affected residents (generally downwind and burn zones).
“The findings shared by the Department of Public Health are concerned about residents who live near Eton burned areas and are currently facing the potential soil contamination,” Burger said in a statement.
“I know that some of my constituents want to test their soil, but they are worried about the costs. The move is to ensure that they have access to resources and support to protect their health and their home,” she added.
The funds were allocated from the county’s lead paint hazard mitigation program settlement. The board also directed the DPH to contract with the Inspection Institute and provide assistance to property owners.
Additional information about the test results is available at publicchealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire/post_fire_assessment_plan.htm.
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