”It laid out three possible answers: The state could keep funding soil testing after future wildfires; the state could defer soil testing decisions to the affected counties with the possibility of reimbursing them; or the state could stop paying for soil testing entirely. Since 2007, comprehensive soil testing has been conducted after 64 wildfire cleanups in California, according to the memo. Further, although soil testing may add some cost, when it’s taken as a proactive measure, it can save money down the road. According to internal reports obtained by The Times, federal cleanup repeatedly deviated from cleanup protocols, likely spreading contamination in the process. The initiative has already come under the scrutiny of environmental experts who say it lacks the rigor of California’s soil testing regimen.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 16, 2026 15:30 UTC