Wildfire Smoke Cleanup Standards
California establishes nation's first enforceable standards for cleaning homes contaminated by wildfire smoke.
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Key Points
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The legislation directs the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to issue recovery guidance for schools located near wildfire-affected zones, expanding the reforms beyond residential properties.
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Insurance industry groups opposed transferring responsibility for smoke-contamination standards from the state Department of Insurance to the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
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Testing conducted by the community group Eaton Fire Residents United found lead, asbestos and heavy metals still present in some homes even after cleaning, underscoring why standardized testing and remediation requirements were sought.
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The package includes a separate emergency mortgage-relief structure through Assembly Bills 1842 and 1847, which permanently extends mortgage-forbearance protections for homeowners affected by disasters.
California has become the first state to establish enforceable standards for testing and cleaning homes damaged by wildfire smoke. Governor Newsom signed legislation in response to the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires, which destroyed over 16,000 structures, killed 31 people, and left thousands of standing homes contaminated with smoke, ash, lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials.
Under the new laws, insurers must cover testing and remediation work, continue paying temporary housing costs until homes are safe, and cannot cancel coverage prematurely. State agencies have until the end of 2028 to set standards for lead and asbestos, and until 2029 for heavy metals and other pollutants.
Thousands of Homes Damaged by Smoke, Not Fire
The two major fires affected far more homes than they destroyed. While 16,000 structures burned, more than 13,000 additional smoke-damage claims involve homes that did not catch fire but remain contaminated. Eaton Fire Residents United conducted testing that found lead, asbestos and heavy metals present in some homes even after cleaning attempts.
Insurance Must Cover Smoke Damage Testing and Cleanup
Assembly Bills 1642 and 1795 require insurers to pay for qualifying testing and remediation. Homeowners can no longer lose coverage while their homes are being restored. Insurers must continue covering temporary housing expenses until homes meet safety standards and residents can move back in safely.
California Addresses Lead Pollution in Low-Income Communities
The reforms come amid growing concerns about persistent lead contamination across Los Angeles County. Many polluted sites are located in low-income neighborhoods of color, where lead hazards often remain unaddressed for years. The new standards aim to prevent similar disparities in wildfire recovery efforts.
Permanent Mortgage Relief for Disaster-Affected Homeowners
A separate package of bills—Assembly Bills 1842 and 1847—permanently extends mortgage-forbearance protections for homeowners affected by disasters. This gives residents more time to recover financially without risking foreclosure. The state also directed the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to issue recovery guidance for schools near wildfire-affected zones.
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