Wildfire Preparedness Week in California and Identifying Smoke, Soot and Odor Damage in Homes and Buildings

Each year, the first week of May is recognized as Wildfire Preparedness Week in California. It is a time for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and partner agencies to spread awareness about wildfires and proactive ways people, communities and businesses can protect themselves against the threat of wildfires.

Last year's Wildfire Preparedness Week proclamation stated:

All Californians have a critical role in protecting themselves and their communities from wildfire. Now is the time to help prevent loss of life and property by ensuring adequate defensible space around homes and buildings, making homes more fire resistant and having an emergency preparedness and escape plan.

"Although May has traditionally been viewed as the beginning of wildfire season in California, changing weather conditions in recent years mean fires can happen at almost any time,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing's Huntington Beach facility. “In fact, CAL FIRE has already responded to over 1,400 wildfire incidents in 2022, and it will likely be another busy fire season moving forward.”

People recognize that a home or structure in the path of wildfire flames is at great risk, but not everyone realizes that even properties many miles away from the flames can be damaged due to smoke. Wildfire smoke can easily infiltrate a home or building, and it is filled with combustion by-products that include soot, ash, and char. These can have damaging effects to both properties and human health. Another important consideration people should be aware of is the fact that when it comes to smoke damage, it is often left to the property owner to provide proof of damage to their insurance provider.

LA Testing, with multiple laboratories in California, is a leading provider of smoke damage, fire residue, and odor testing services. They offer surface and air testing services that can be used to prove the presence of smoke residues and odors. These same tests can also be instrumental after a property is remediated to ensure it has been brought back to pre-fire conditions.

Several years ago, LA Testing produced an educational video about smoke damage that can still be seen at:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owo8lIoVTuk.

To learn more about testing for smoke damage, char, carbon black, soot, odors, and other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) services and supplies, please visit www.SmokeDamageTestingLab.com or www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. To access easy-to-use Fire & Smoke Damage Test Kits, visit www.EMSLTestKit.com.  

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California's leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.

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