10/19/25

Department of Angels Release New Recovery Report

Nine months after the Eaton and Palisades fires, a new Department of Angels report, Community Voices: L.A. Fire Recovery Report issued 10/15/25, reveals a deepening crisis for survivors. Based on surveys of 2,335 residents, it shows worsening conditions across housing, health, and financial stability.

Key Findings:

• Displacement: About 8 in 10 pre-fire residents of Altadena, 9 in 10 residents of Pacific Palisades, and nearly half of residents of Malibu, are currently unable to live in their homes.

• Insurance Hindering Recovery: Insurance experiences for residents have largely involved delays, denials, logistical hurdles, and difficulty continuing coverage into the future.

• Contamination Concern: 84% believe their home or property may be contaminated.

• Difficulty Testing: While the vast majority of residents of impacted areas believe their homes may have been contaminated, more than 1 in 3 who want it have not yet received it.

• Expiring Coverage: Over half of homeowners will lose housing coverage within a year; one in five within months and nearly one-third of renters were uninsured; most insured renters have exhausted their coverage.

Neighbors Main Source of Info: Neighbors are the top source of fire-related information for all people in impacted areas, like family, friends, and online communities.

10/19/25

Wildfire Survivors Granted Up to One Year Mortgage Relief Under New CA Law

Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 238, granting wildfire survivors up to one year of mortgage forbearance with no late fees, penalties, or documentation required. Homeowners can pause mortgage payments for up to 12 months by simply confirming that the wildfire caused financial hardship. To apply, contact your mortgage servicer, submit a short written request under AB 238, and the servicer must respond within 10 business days. Approved forbearances renew every 90 days for up to one year, during which no late fees, foreclosures, or credit penalties can occur. For assistance, the California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation (DFPI) will release official guidance and a borrower helpline. Learn more here.

10/12/25

LA County Delivers $31M in Wildfire Relief Grants

The LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA), in partnership with The Center by Lendistry, has distributed $31.7 million in emergency relief to 3,425 wildfire-affected households, reaching over 9,600 residents. Grants ranging from $6,000–$18,000 helped families with children, seniors, people with disabilities, and displaced residents cover urgent expenses and stabilize after the 2025 wildfires. See the DCBA Dashboard for more information.

10/12/25

EFSN Releases Their Recommendations on Amendments to the SCE Proposal Draft

On 10/9, EFSN held a press conference to release Fix What You Broke, its response to SCE’s draft proposal. The report echoes and expands on concerns in EFRU’s SCE Proposal Draft Omissions (issued 10/5), concluding that the current SCE proposal fails to acknowledge contamination across the Eaton Fire impact area and warning that this omission would drive decades-long economic and public-health harms.

EFRU is grateful for EFSN’s partnership and steadfast advocacy before state leaders and in the media on behalf of the community’s recovery. Although there is mention in EFSN’s report for “A full residential soil plan includes site visits, multi-point composite sampling, laboratory analysis”, what is still missing is the need for systematic oversight and follow-up clearance testing of soils and standing homes during rebuilds to maintain clearance—especially where residual contamination could re-contaminate adjacent properties. An organized, comprehensive program providing continual testing and remediation of all property, inside and out, including residences, school campuses, parks, businesses, and all public spaces throughout the rebuild should be financed by SCE and from the $21 billion fund for utility caused disasters. This program should be run by a contracted company or independent commission financed by the $21 billion fund to orchestrate a community wide approach so that there is a concerted effort to maintain standing homes and soil reach and maintain clearance from hazardous contaminants.
You can review the current SCE Proposal Draft here.

10/12/25

EFRU Recording: Guidance for Testing & Sampling Homes that Survived the Fire

On 9/24/25 Dr. Whelton of Purdue University and Eric Bollens of Lightbox Learn about new guidance on testing your home for contaminants. This guidance draws on research from the 2023 East Palestine disaster and 2025 LA fires, is informed by hundreds of home testing reports, is accessible to property owners, health officials, and agencies, and is useful for inspectors, testing firms, and insurance providers. See how this guidance can support detecting contamination in your home. View the video recording here. You can review the guidance document titled After the Wildfire: Building and Environmental Testing here.

10/12/25

EFRU Speaker Event Recording: Taking Legal Action Against Your Insurer

On 9/28 EFRU hosted a panel of insurance litigators including Kevin Pollack of Acts Law Firm, James Castle of Castle Legal Group, and Dylan Schaffer of Kerley Schaffer, LLP. Learn about bad faith insurance and what you can do to protect your family and your home if your insurance is rejecting your industrial hygienist report, forcing you to use their remediator or contractor, denying post-remediation testing, or refusing your ALE coverage. View the recording here.

10/12/25

EFRU Community Meeting: Pet Health Post Fire - Share Your Experience

Mon 10/13 @7PM

Is your pet having any health issues after the fire? Please share your pets’ experiences and what kind of symptoms you may be noticing. Learn from others what struggles they may be going through with their pet. Register here.

10/5/25

EFRU: SCE Proposal Draft Omissions Outline

EFRU is releasing an outline of omissions in SCE’s recent proposal draft. Review it to understand what is excluded from the settlement so you don’t unknowingly accept an offer that leaves contamination damage to your property unrecovered or limits your ability to pursue compensation for future health impacts from exposure. Read more here.

10/5/25

EFRU Community Meeting: Critical Omissions in the SCE Proposal

On Monday 10/6 EFRU will host an open forum to discuss the omissions in the SCE Proposal draft, focusing on both eligibility requirements and the scope of recognized damage in the document. Community members should be aware that accepting a settlement under the current proposal may limit their ability to pursue compensation for other types of damages not included in the draft. Zoom registration here.

10/5/25

PUSD Still Without Indoor Contaminant Testing 9 Months After Eaton Fire

On 9/30 EFSN featured an interview with PUSD Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco and School Board President Jennifer Hall Lee; the recording can be viewed here. When asked why PUSD schools have yet to receive indoor contaminant testing, Superintendent Blanco responded that they are following the protocols set by their insurance provider and are in correspondence with the EPA and DTSC, framing it as a matter beyond her control. Yet LAUSD did a full array of indoor testing in February 2025 for schools adjacent to the Palisades Fire. 

Superintendent Blanco went on to conflate chipped-paint abatement standards with lead-contamination abatement from wildfire. At one point, she stated that because schools have not been permitted to use lead-based paint for some time, the lead levels in school facilities are likely lower than those found in homes in the area impacted by wildfire debris. Nine months after the fire, it should be clear that what causes lead paint hazards and wildfire-deposited lead are fundamentally different, and so are the abatement processes. PUSD schools continue to have no actual indoor contaminant testing since the Eaton Fire. 

10/5/25

Altadena Rental Housing Habitability Program Presumes Contamination in All Rentals

The County’s Rental Housing Habitability Program (RHHP) presumes Altadena rentals were impacted by the Eaton Fire. Tenants should request an inspection for fire-related hazards and may also ask for indoor environmental testing and remediation to ensure they are not living with invisible toxic particles. Property owners must fix identified issues.
Call (888) 700-9995
or email DPH-RHHP@ph.lacounty.gov.
For more information visit their website.

10/5/25

New EFRU Facebook Page

Check out the new EFRU FB page and follow for updates and announcements throughout the week.

10/5/25

Surviving Structures Facebook Page

A Facebook page for residents figuring out how to get back to their intact homes after the Eaton Fire.

9/28/25

Address Omissions in the SCE Proposal

SCE has proposed a direct compensation program for Eaton Fire survivors that offers large payouts to avoid lengthy litigation, though attorneys caution such programs often pay less than lawsuits. Compensation includes up to $900,000 to rebuild a destroyed 1,500-sq-ft home, $200,000 for settling directly with Edison, and additional funds for pain and suffering; families of deceased victims could receive up to $1.5 million for noneconomic damages, $500,000 per dependent, and a $5 million direct-settlement bonus.

However, for surviving homes eligibility is limited: the draft program covers only visible structural damage (measurable physical harm like staining or corrosion) inside the fire perimeter, excluding homes with lingering smoke, soot, or toxin contamination that lacks visible physical damage. Properties outside the DINs map and soil remediation needs are also left out, potentially excluding many standing homes.

EFSN has drafted a set of community demands in response to Edison’s compensation proposal, with EFRU contributing what they see as critical omissions affecting standing homes. You are encouraged to submit your concerns about this SCE Proposal. You can share your thoughts by adding comments directly in the document or by completing the short questionnaire inside—whichever is easiest for you. 

See the full SCE Proposal here.
Read and add your comment to the draft of Community Demands here.
You can also add your SCE Proposal concerns to this form.

9/28/25

Altadena Rental Housing Inspections

The County’s Rental Housing Habitability Program (RHHP) presumes Altadena rentals were impacted by the Eaton Fire. Tenants can request an inspection for fire-related hazards, and property owners must fix identified issues. Call (888) 700-9995 or email DPH-RHHP@ph.lacounty.gov. For more information, visit here.

9/28/25

AB 238 the Mortgage Forbearance Act Signed Into Law

Assemblymember John Harabedian championed a new law, recently signed by Governor Newsom, to support survivors of the LA Fires. The law provides mortgage payment forbearance for eligible homeowners whose properties were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by the fires. The initial forbearance period is 90 days, with the option to extend in 90-day increments for up to 12 months. This measure protects borrowers from late fees, penalties, additional interest charges, balloon payments, foreclosure proceedings, and negative credit impacts. Learn more here.

9/21/25

The Proposal for the SCE Compensation Program Has Been Released

SCE has proposed a direct compensation program for Eaton Fire victims, offering substantial payouts despite not admitting responsibility. Under the draft plan, a family who lost a 1,500-square-foot home could receive $900,000 to rebuild, plus $200,000 for settling directly with Edison, and additional compensation for pain and suffering. Families of deceased victims could receive up to $1.5 million for noneconomic damages, $500,000 per dependent, and a $5 million direct settlement bonus. The program aims to avoid years of litigation, though attorneys warn such funds often pay less than lawsuits. Payments would be reduced by insurance settlements, with “fast pay” in 90 days or standard processing within nine months. If ultimately found liable, Edison would recover most costs from the state’s $21-billion wildfire fund, though critics say the program is designed to limit payouts. (Read the LA Times article here.)

However, in the footnote of SCE’s Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program the proposal states that eligibility requires non-burn damage to structures within the fire perimeter from smoke, soot, or ash infiltration. “Non-burn damage” is defined as measurable physical harm—such as staining, corrosion, pitting, or material degradation—as opposed to surface-level dust or particulate matter that could be cleaned through standard methods [pages 2-3].

It is unclear whether homes with contaminant damage will qualify if there is no visible harm. By excluding contamination that can persist long after wildfire debris is removed, SCE’s plan appears to leave out many standing homes impacted by toxic smoke, ash, soot, and char. If so, underinsured or uninsured residents with lingering odors or contamination who do not have the ability to collect from insurance may not be able to collect from SCE’s payout program either, leaving litigation as their only option. Learn more here.

9/21/25

UPDATE: Eaton Fire Residents May Lose Out with SCE New Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program

On Wed 7/23, the LA Times reported the upcoming SCE Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program this fall for Eaton Fire victims, offering faster claims but not admitting liability yet. Critics warned payments may fall short and urge survivors to get legal advice. Read the article here.
The SCE Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program does not currently cover contamination damage and many residents and business owners remain unaware of the toxic state of their home or business. Wildfire debris can leave behind contaminants that are invisible, and by accepting an SCE payout for other fire-related damage, residents may unintentionally forfeit any chance of compensation for contamination through litigation against SCE.

9/21/25

EFRU Speaker Event: Guidance for Testing & Sampling Homes that Survived the Fire

Wed, Sept. 24, 6pm
New guidance from Purdue University is now available: After the Wildfire: Building Environmental Testing. Join the us as speakers Dr. Whelton & Eric Bollens cover how this guidance:

• Draws on research from the 2023 East Palestine disaster and 2025 LA fires

• Explains environmental contamination testing for fire-impacted buildings

• Is accessible to property owners, health officials, and agencies

• Is informed by hundreds of home testing reports

• Is useful for inspectors, testing firms, and insurance providers

See how this guidance can support detecting contamination in your home.

Dr. Andrew Whelton and Eric Bollens recognized that guidance was urgently needed, but developing it required reviewing hundreds of testing reports and meeting with affected households to better understand their experiences and needs. Unfortunately, Dr. Whelton never received funding to support this work, so much of it has had to be done during personal time. The lack of funding has significantly hampered the effort. Purdue University — along with the research team's personal time — has contributed an estimated $70,000 worth of effort to date.
Register here.

9/21/25

EFRU Speaker Event: Taking Legal Action Against Your Insurer

Sun Sept. 28, 7pm
Is your insurance:

• Rejecting your industrial hygienist report?

• Forcing you to use their remediator or contractor?

• Denying post-remediation testing?

• Refusing your ALE coverage?

Join our panel of insurance litigators to learn what your rights are — empower yourself with knowledge.
Register here.

9/13/25

New Indoor Pre-Remediation Testing Guidance

Dr. Andrew Whelton of Purdue and Eric Bollens have issued a new indoor testing guidance document created from lessons learned during the East Palestine train derailment and chemical spill/fires in 2023 and the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires titled After the Wildfire: Building Environmental Testing. It explains the basics of environmental contamination sampling and testing for fire-impacted buildings, aiming to make this information accessible to property owners, as well as local and state health officials who often struggle to find clear guidance. The content draws on questions from fire-affected property owners and insights from reviewing hundreds of home environmental testing reports. It is also useful for inspection, testing, and sampling companies, as well as insurance providers. View the guidance on pre-remediation testing here.

9/13/25

Soil Safety After the L.A. Wildfires, Debris Removal, and More: What have we learned so far?

Sat, Sept 13, 12 - 1pm
Purdue will present lessons learned from the 2025 Los Angeles (L.A.) Fires Residential Soil Study in response to the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire in California and rebuilding lessons from other wildfires. An expert on fruit and gardens after wildfire will share knowledge. Perspectives on rebuilding months after the incidents will be shared by engineers who helped lead their communities back from fires, followed by a Q&A session. Experience and science based opinions about safety and protective actions will be shared. Register for the event here.

9/13/25

EFRU Community Meetings

Monday evenings at 7PM EFRU will host focused discussions on specific fire safety recovery topics. A new space for survivors to discuss, share, and strengthen recovery. This Monday the focus will continue on Post-Remediation Testing.

• What should you be testing for after remediation?

• What barriers have you faced in getting post-remediation indoor testing approved by your insurance?

• If you succeeded in getting testing covered, what strategies worked with your insurer?

These community forums are designed for open dialogue: Your input helps guide which experts we bring into future EFRU Speaker Series events. Learn more here.

9/13/25

Eaton Fire Residents May Lose Out with SCE New Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program

On Wed 7/23, the LA Times reported SCE will launch a Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program this fall for Eaton Fire victims, offering faster claims but not admitting liability yet. Critics warn payments may fall short and urge survivors to get legal advice. Read the article here.
Many residents and business owners remain unaware of smoke and ash contamination in their standing structures, risking exclusion of testing and remediation costs from their claims.

9/13/25

Eaton Fire Survivors Network

EFSN has a Discord with 2500 fire survivors sharing their experiences and numerous local organizations sharing their information. You can join the Discord by going here. To follow EFSN’s efforts, sign up for the EFSN newsletter here.

9/12/25

New Indoor Pre-Remediation Testing Guidance

Dr. Andrew Whelton of Purdue and Eric Bollens have issued a new indoor testing guidance document created from lessons learned during the East Palestine train derailment and chemical spill/fires in 2023 and the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires titled After the Wildfire: Building Environmental Testing. It explains the basics of environmental contamination sampling and testing for fire-impacted buildings, aiming to make this information accessible to property owners, as well as local and state health officials who often struggle to find clear guidance. The content draws on questions from fire-affected property owners and insights from reviewing hundreds of home environmental testing reports. It is also useful for inspection, testing, and sampling companies, as well as insurance providers. View the guidance on pre-remediation testing here.

9/11/25

EFRU Data Used in Bloomberg Story

The story “When Is Your Home Safe After Wildfire Smoke? LA Researchers Have Some Answers” can be read here.

9/7/25

EFRU Community Meetings

Starting Monday, 9/8, EFRU will launch a new format: focused discussions on specific fire safety recovery topics. A new space for survivors to discuss, share, and strengthen recovery. This Monday the focus will be on Post-Remediation Testing.

• What should you be testing for after remediation?

• What barriers have you faced in getting post-remediation indoor testing approved by your insurance?

• If you succeeded in getting testing covered, what strategies worked with your insurer?

These community forums are designed for open dialogue: Your input helps guide which experts we bring into future EFRU Speaker Series events. Learn more here.

9/7/25

Hexavalent Chromium Findings

On Thursday 8/28 LA Fire Health Study reported airborne hexavalent chromium nanoparticles—carcinogenic particles small enough to travel 6 miles, infiltrate homes, and accumulate in the body over time—at levels higher than EPA indoor air safety thresholds. It’s important to understand that while hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen, the risk comes mainly from long-term, repeated exposure. Its harmful effects accumulate in the body over time, rather than from a single brief encounter. This means that reducing everyday exposure is critical to lowering long-term health risks. Access the data brief, the recording for the event, and key findings from the recording here.

9/7/25

Soil Guidance

On Friday, 8/22, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) released new soil contamination guidance for communities affected by the Eaton and Palisades Fires. The guidance offers recommendations for reducing exposure, but provides no funding for remediation support. Full details are available here.

Dr. Andrew Whelton of Purdue has flagged serious flaws in the guidance, including a chromium threshold set 50 times higher than DTSC’s own hazardous waste standard and the omission of lithium, despite the many electric cars burned in the fires. His full analysis is outlined in a letter to Governor Newsom, available here.

EFRU is closely following the work of scientists studying soil remediation through bioremediation paired with microbiology, with demonstrated results across multiple sites in the Eaton Fire area. While the State currently promotes soil capping as its lowest-cost option—which only offers temporary protection—bioremediation with microbiology is producing data with contamination mitigation beneath the surface. This approach could offer a more effective long-term solution than capping, while remaining significantly more affordable than excavation. Stay tuned for details.

9/7/25

Eaton Fire Residents May Lose Out with SCE New Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program

On Wed 7/23, the LA Times reported SCE will launch a Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program this fall for Eaton Fire victims, offering faster claims but not admitting liability yet. Critics warn payments may fall short and urge survivors to get legal advice. Read the article here.  
Many residents and business owners remain unaware of smoke and ash contamination in their standing structures, risking exclusion of testing and remediation costs from their claims.

9/7/25

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Status & Altadena Golf Course

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed final debris removal from the Eaton Fire area, with sign-off at Eliot Arts Magnet School marking the end of physical operations in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre. Restoration at the Altadena Golf Course will continue through fall, with handover to Parks and Recreation expected by year’s end.

9/7/25

Eaton Fire Survivors Network

EFSN has a Discord with 2500 fire survivors sharing their experiences and numerous local organizations sharing their information. You can join the Discord by going here. To follow EFSN’s efforts, sign up for the EFSN newsletter here.

8/23/25

EFRU Data is Published!

EFRU’s community-sourced dataset has been published on a scientific platform.

These pre-remediation findings establish the contamination of our area within the worldwide scientific community.