Wildfires Cause Evacuation Orders for 10,000 California Homes

LA Testing and EMSL Analytical offer testing solutions for fire, smoke, char and soot damage investigations.

Pasadena, CA, September 2nd, 2009

News reports on Tuesday confirmed the Station Fire has already burned 122,000 acres north of Los Angeles, California. The deadly fire has also taken the lives of two firefighters and fire officials announced that it may be another two weeks before the fire is completely contained.

Over 2,500 firefighters are currently battling the blaze that is only 5% contained. The fire which began a week ago has already destroyed 53 buildings and many more are in danger. In fact, close to 10,000 homes, 500 businesses and numerous other structures are currently at risk. This has lead to massive evacuation orders across the area. Even the world renowned Mount Wilson Observatory is currently threatened by flames.

As the Station Fire is eventually brought under control, property owners will return to their properties to inspect for damages. Fortunate individuals will return to undamaged properties while others will return to homes and businesses that survived the flames, but suffered smoke damage.

Odors, discoloration and “ghosting” effects can result when carbon black and combustion byproducts (carbonized material) are deposited on building surfaces. Proof of these conditions may be required by property insurance companies prior to the buildings being fixed. Fortunately sampling is usually straightforward and can be performed by simply wiping as much area as necessary to darken a special sample collection pad for analysis.

LA Testing, an affiliate of EMSL Analytical, is one of California’s leading environmental testing laboratories. The laboratory has a long tradition of performing carbon black, soot, char and combustion byproducts testing for property owners, environmental professionals and insurance companies following wildfires. The laboratory uses a combination of techniques in culmination with Electron Microscopy for the highest level of accuracy possible.

For more information about smoke, char, carbon black, black carbon or soot testing please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800)303-0047 and ask for Dr. Jerry Drapala.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are leading providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

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EMSL Analytical, Inc.

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