Is My Soil Safe After the LA Wildfires?
A question many parents and pet owners are asking—
“Is it safe for my kids or dogs to play outside after the wildfires?”
It’s a valid concern and unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. There is currently no clear, site-specific guidance from FEMA or the Forest Service on how to handle post-fire soil safety at your home. Every property is different, depending on what burned, how hot the fire got, and what cleanup has already taken place.
That said, there are things we can do to improve safety and begin restoring our soil.
What Happens to Soil After a Wildfire?
The fire burns off carbon, which weakens soil structure and removes nutrients.
The living ecosystem in the soil (tiny organisms that help plants grow) is destroyed.
Toxic metals like lead, mercury, or arsenic might be left behind in the ash.
Some plants, like succulents, can create a waxy layer in the soil that stops water from soaking in.
The organic matter—the good stuff that supports life—is mostly gone.
What’s Being Done?
The Army Corps of Engineers is removing the top 6 inches of soil from many burned properties. That may not sound like a lot, but it’s actually a massive amount of earth, and it’s taking away much of the ash and toxins, which is great.
But whether or not it is everything depends on what fell/burnt specifically on your site, and the top layer of soil is also the most important. It’s where all the nutrients and beneficial microbes live. Without it, the ground is basically lifeless. That matters not just for your lawn or garden, but for your family’s health.
If you’ve got young kids or pets, you already know that they dig, roll, crawl, lick, and live close to the ground. They’re more likely to come into contact with any lingering toxins in the soil. And it’s not just about playing in the dirt, anything growing from that soil (like grass, herbs, or vegetables) could be affected too.
What Can You Do to Help?
Luckily, there are simple, natural, cost-effective ways to bring your soil back to life…safely.
A regenerative agriculture company called RGN Brands shared this with me:
“In the aftermath of wildfires, soils often become laden with toxic hydrocarbons resulting from the combustion of organic matter. Introducing P. putida into these environments can facilitate the breakdown of these harmful substances, thereby detoxifying the soil. Additionally, P. putida is an effective rhizosphere colonizer, enhancing plant growth by improving nutrient uptake and modifying the soil microflora in beneficial ways”
In laymen’s terms:
These biological treatments rebuild your soil with beneficial microbes, lock away toxins, and improve water and nutrient flow. Over time, they bring back worms and other helpers that maintain healthy, clean soil for you. No harsh chemicals needed.
Some of the benefits:
Doubles the root growth of plants
Helps roots grow deeper = stronger lawns and gardens
Uses less water (because roots and soil holds moisture better)
Restores natural filtration = cleaner soil and safer play areas
Once you have healthy soil, you can grow healthy plants. Here are a few plants that will also help with the detoxification of your soil:
Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea): Effective at absorbing heavy metals like mercury and chromium.
Willow (Salix species): Particularly useful for absorbing hydrocarbons from petrochemical pollution.
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): Can absorb heavy metals and other contaminants.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa): Effective at removing both heavy metals and organic pollutants.
Alpine Pennycress: Can absorb several heavy metals when the soil pH is adjusted.
Aquatic Plants: Like water ferns and water hyacinth, can remove heavy metals from soil.
Brassica family: Plants like mustard and kale release gases that cleanse the soil and reduce pests when decomposed.
How Much Does This Cost?
I was nervous to ask, replacing 6 inches of high quality soil over a 7,000 sq ft lot sounded expensive. But it turns out it’s not as bad as you’d think (or at least, I thought), roughly $4,000–$7,000 depending on your property.
You can also start smaller:
Test your soil. There are affordable soil tests that can check for metals and toxins.
Add safe layers. You don’t always need to dig. Some treatments can go right on top of your existing soil.
Work in amendments. Compost, biochar, and beneficial microbes can be mixed in to kickstart recovery.
Final Thoughts
Soil health isn’t my area of expertise; I’m just sharing what I found interesting and useful. If you’re feeling unsure or want to explore options, reach out to Justin Lombard at RGN Brands: justin@rgnbrands.com. He’s knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and can walk you through what’s best for your property.