The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in collaboration with state and local partners, has embarked on a large-scale cleanup and recovery operation following the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires. These fires ravaged over 37,000 acres and resulted in the damage or destruction of more than 16,000 structures. Despite the extensive impact, the Army Corps has decided against conducting soil sampling at private properties affected by the fires, a move that has sparked debate among experts and residents alike.
Thousands of residents have participated in the cleanup effort by submitting Right of Entry forms. This allows the Army Corps to clear debris from private properties at no cost to the homeowners. Only 315 people have opted out of this program, highlighting the widespread demand for assistance. As part of the debris removal process, the Corps plans to excavate six inches of soil in areas impacted by the fire, targeting potential pollutants trapped in the top layers.
"We're removing six inches of topsoil that's within the ash footprint," said Army Corps Col. Eric Swenson. "We're confident we'll capture any of the surface hazards that landed on the soil."
The decision not to conduct soil sampling was first reported by The Los Angeles Times. While soil sampling was a key component of the response to previous disasters like the Camp Fire, where crews measured pollutant concentrations before and after cleanup operations, it has not been authorized for the current response effort. This has raised concerns among experts who believe that soil testing is crucial for understanding contamination levels.
"Measuring the concentration of pollutants will tell them what kind of cleanup goal they should have," noted Sanjay Mohanty, an associate professor in the civil and environmental engineering department at UCLA.
In contrast to previous protocols, the Army Corps' current approach focuses on removing concrete foundations and the top six inches of soil in fire-impacted areas without preliminary soil testing. This method targets the most likely zone where pollutants reside in order to mitigate potential health risks.
"After they clean up and do the remedial actions, they want to make sure that they actually achieve that. So that's why they do testing twice, at least in the last Camp Fire," explained Sanjay Mohanty.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is actively involved in monitoring and assessing public health risks. It has compiled an assessment plan that is updated weekly, sharing results with the public as they become available on its website. This transparency aims to reassure residents as cleanup progresses.
"It shows that we are working together on an accelerated timetable to restore our facilities and communities as swiftly and safely as possible," stated Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Research efforts are ongoing as well, with researchers from USC recently conducting tests on street dust in neighborhoods devastated by the Eaton Fire. These studies are critical in identifying any remaining environmental hazards that might pose risks to residents.
Despite the lack of soil sampling, experts like Sanjay Mohanty acknowledge the practical nature of the Army Corps' approach to removing topsoil.
"The top six inches of soil is where most pollutants are trapped, and once those six inches are removed, it is believed that no residual pollutants will remain in the soil," stated Mohanty.
The decision not to conduct soil sampling underscores a strategic choice by federal authorities to expedite recovery while managing potential environmental risks inherent in wildfire-impacted areas. This approach reflects a balance between immediate action and ongoing monitoring efforts to ensure public safety.
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