RELEASE: Friedman Leads 7 California Members of Congress Calling on FEMA to Reverse Refusal to Conduct Soil Testing After Wildfires

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, March 26, 2025, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) led a letter with seven members of California’s Congressional delegation calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reverse its refusal to conduct post-wildfire soil testing. The members are urging FEMA to follow its long-standing precedent ensuring comprehensive soil testing and public health. 

“FEMA’s refusal to test for toxins in the soil after wildfire cleanup in Los Angeles County is unacceptable,” said U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “Families deserve to know their homes are safe and free of dangerous chemicals. This is a break from decades of FEMA precedent — and it risks exposing entire communities to long-term health threats.” 

“Follow up soil sampling has been standard procedure after nearly every major wildfire in California for the past two decades. This decision also contradicts the steps taken by FEMA following the devastating fire in Lahaina, where FEMA conducted additional soil testing for toxic contaminants,” wrote the eight Members of Congress to FEMA the Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator the Honorable Cameron Hamilton. “The residents of greater Los Angeles should be informed of any potential toxins in the soil as they navigate the complicated recovery process. Wildfire survivors deserve to return to safe, toxin-free properties.” 

The signatory list of eight Members of Congress includes Friedman (CA-30), Barragán (CA-44), Brownley (CA-26), Garcia (CA-42), Lieu (CA-36), Rivas (CA-29), Sherman (CA-32), and Whitesides (CA-27). 

"It’s unacceptable for FEMA to ignore the potential health risks posed by wildfire-contaminated soil. That’s why I joined with Congresswoman Friedman and all my California delegation colleagues to demand FEMA follow the same soil-testing measures taken after other recent wildfire disasters. After suffering one of the worst fire disasters in our nation’s history, our communities deserve a thorough cleanup—not shortcuts. FEMA must reconsider its decision and prioritize public health and safety,” said U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32). 

“Residents impacted by wildfires and other disasters need to know that their properties are cleaned-up, free from harmful toxins, and safe for rebuilding,” said U.S. Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26). “Recent changes to FEMA’s procedures, forgoing soil testing in favor of across-the-board topsoil removal, have left many in the community concerned about possible hazards. It is important for federal, state, and local governments to work together to address these concerns and ensure Californians are confident that public health is fully protected.” 

“As we recover from the devastating Southern California wildfires, it is critical that we keep the health and safety of our community at the forefront of our work. FEMA must begin standard soil sampling procedures to inform us if the soil in these areas contain dangerous levels of toxic contaminants, which is why I joined my colleagues to urge FEMA to reverse its refusal and begin testing immediately,” said U.S. Congressman George Whitesides (CA-27). 

“FEMA needs to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of all residents in the aftermath of the recent wildfires,” said U.S. Congresswoman Rivas (CA-29). “Testing the soil for toxins and other contaminants in areas impacted by the recent wildfires will allow all communities across Los Angeles County to rebuild stronger. By refusing to include this important step in the wildfire recovery process, FEMA is breaking a precedent and harming the long-term health of our communities.” 

The full text of the letter can be found HERE and below.  

March 26, 2025  

The Honorable Cameron Hamilton 

Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator 

U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 

500 C St SW 

Washington, DC 20024 

 Dear Acting Administrator Hamilton, 

Thank you for your continued work to support wildfire recovery and clean up throughout greater Los Angeles. As of February 26, FEMA has approved over $78 million in assistance to eligible Los Angeles County residents impacted by the wildfires. FEMA’s continued partnership and coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been critical in recovery efforts.

Additionally, we are grateful for the work of the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (AQMD) expanded air monitoring efforts in the Eaton and Palisades Fire areas.2 As debris removal may cause hazardous dust and ash to become airborne, robust monitoring for airborne toxins is critical to protecting public health. We urge FEMA to partner with local agencies to conduct additional, comprehensive, region-wide monitoring for airborne toxins that may be disturbed by debris removal or transfer. 

While we believe the ongoing efforts to monitor hazards are crucial steps forward, we write to express serious concern with FEMA’s recent decision to not conduct soil testing in fire affected areas following cleanup. Follow up soil sampling has been standard procedure after nearly every major wildfire in California for the past two decades. This decision also contradicts the steps taken by FEMA following the devastating fire in Lahaina, where FEMA conducted additional soil testing for toxic contaminants.

Comprehensive soil testing is essential to ensuring the safety of wildfire survivors returning home. During the cleanup of the 2018 Camp fire, which tragically destroyed the town of Paradise in Northern California, soil testing was conducted on nearly 12,500 properties. Of these, more than 4,000 properties still had toxic chemicals in the soil, including lead and arsenic. The residents of greater Los Angeles should be informed of any potential toxins in the soil as they navigate the complicated recovery process. Wildfire survivors deserve to return to safe, toxin- free properties. In order to ensure the health and safety of the residents of the greater Los Angeles area, we are requesting responses to the following questions: 

1. What steps has FEMA taken in previous wildfires, like those in Paradise and Lahaina, to ensure the soil is free from toxic contaminants?
2. How can FEMA confirm that removal of 6 inches of topsoil, without further testing, is sufficient to ensure that unsafe levels of toxic chemicals are removed?
3. Has FEMA conducted any preliminary soil testing in fire-impacted areas in the greater Los Angeles area?
4. What factors were considered in FEMA’s decision to not conduct additional soil sampling in the areas impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires? How does this decision compare to previous action taken in California following major wildfires?
5. Did FEMA participate in conversations with local public health agencies before deciding to not conduct additional soil testing?
6. Without FEMA’s assistance, what options do wildfire survivors have to ensure the soil surrounding their properties do not contain deadly contaminants? What is the average cost of this testing?
7. What are the requirements for state, local and individual property owners to be reimbursed for soil testing costs? How does FEMA determine whether results are clearly attributed to fires? 

These wildfires have cause heartbreaking loss for thousands of people, and we urgently request a comprehensive response from FEMA to the above questions. Thank you for your consideration of this request and we look forward to your response. 

Sincerely, 

Members of Congress 

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