California Wildfire Season Continues to Cause Property Damage

Chronic dry conditions continue to plague California and hinder efforts to stop wildfires raging in many parts of the state. Currently, there are wildfires burning from Southern to Northern California.

Many of these fires are burning aggressively with the help of gusty winds and triple-digit heat in rugged terrain.  A number of the wildfires are in areas with rural communities and people’s vacation homes.  Homes and businesses have been lost and many others have been engulfed with smoke which infiltrates into structures leaving behind residues and odors.

Smoke from wildfires is filled with combustion by-products that include soot, ash and char.  These can have damaging effects to both property and human health when people are exposed to these substances.

“As California continues to suffer from a historic drought, wildfires continue to be a threat that will not likely diminish anytime soon,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility.  “Even properties miles from wildfire flames can suffer smoke damage.  Unfortunately, when it comes to smoke damage it is often left to the property owner to provide proof of damages to their insurance providers.  LA Testing offers surface and air testing services that can be used to prove the presence of smoke residues and odors.  Testing can also provide important information for remediating the property back to pre-fire conditions.”

LA Testing recently produced an online video about smoke damage that can be seen at:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owo8lIoVTuk.

To learn more about testing for smoke damage, char, carbon black, soot and other indoor air quality (IAQ) and environmental issues, please visit www.SmokeDamageTestingLab.com or www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 
 
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 general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, 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, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) (856) 303-2503

Contact via E-mail