California Releases Report on Cleaning Homes Tainted by Wildfire Smoke

State task force recommends tiered system and certification programs for smoke damage remediation, but stops short of setting specific testing and cleaning standards.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:04pm

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A long-awaited report by a state task force on addressing the toxic contamination spread by wildfire smoke in California has been released. The report suggests the state should develop a tiered system for remediation and establish training and certification programs, but it does not set concrete standards for testing or cleaning homes for substances like lead or asbestos. The issue has sparked intense debate among wildfire survivors, with some raising concerns about the task force's makeup and its inability to reach consensus on key questions.

Why it matters

Properly cleaning and remediating smoke-tainted homes is a critical issue for California communities impacted by wildfires, which have become more frequent and destructive in recent years. The lack of clear standards has led to battles between homeowners and insurers over what needs to be done to make properties habitable again.

The details

The report, written by a task force put together by the California Department of Insurance, recommends the state develop a tiered system for remediation based on the level of smoke damage, as well as training and certification programs for smoke damage remediation. However, it stops short of issuing concrete recommendations or standards for what to test for, such as lead or asbestos, or how to clean these contaminants if they're found. Some experts have criticized the task force's makeup, noting that several members have ties to the insurance industry and have endorsed practices that have concerned independent scientists and homeowner advocates.

  • The report was released on March 16, 2026.
  • The task force was first convened last summer following hundreds of consumer complaints.

The players

California Department of Insurance

The state agency that released the report and convened the task force.

Andrew Whelton

A professor of engineering at Purdue University who presented research to the task force and endorsed the idea of a tiered system, but noted that proximity to the main blaze alone doesn't determine how contaminated a home might be.

Karen Collins

A representative of an insurance industry trade group who was on the task force panel and said the report offers "credible, practical insight" for states dealing with similar challenges.

Assembly Member John Harabedian

The author of a California bill, AB 1642, that would establish standards for testing and cleaning homes that survive wildfires, and which moved forward out of committee last week.

Assembly Member Mike Gipson

The author of another California bill, AB 1795, that would also establish standards for testing and cleaning smoke-tainted homes and specifically mentions considering the task force report.

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What they’re saying

“Wildfire survivors deserve clarity, consistency, and confidence as they recover, and insurers support science-based approaches to evaluating smoke damage and guiding remediation.”

— Karen Collins, Insurance industry trade group representative (San Francisco Chronicle)

“You would want to know what the sources of contamination are that are burning nearby, not just distance from a burned structure or age of home.”

— Andrew Whelton, Professor of engineering, Purdue University (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The two California bills proposing standards for testing and cleaning smoke-tainted homes will continue to move through the legislative process.

The takeaway

The lack of clear, science-based standards for addressing toxic smoke contamination in homes that survive wildfires has led to confusion and battles between homeowners and insurers. This report represents a step forward, but more work is needed to provide wildfire survivors with the clarity and consistency they need to fully recover.