Ongoing research

California's farmers and ranchers who have experienced wildfire can face major hurdles during the recovery process, including issues with crop loss, infrastructure damage, impacts to livestock health and others. There are state and federal programs available to help offset the costs associated with fire…

How Food Becomes Contaminated During wildfires, plants accumulate chemicals and metals in numerous ways, including through deposits of ash on leaf surfaces or soil-root uptake. Plant characteristics also affect the ways these potential contaminants become stored on and within the plant. For example,…

After a wildfire, soils can be impacted in several ways and the cumulative effects of these changes can modify soil productivity and biological diversity, as well as pose health risks to humans and animals. Urban soils are at an increased risk for chemical and heavy metal contamination post-fire because…

Are Eggs From Your Backyard Safe to Eat Post-Fire?After a wildfire, harmful contaminants are left behind in the soil and water. These contaminants can be ingested by backyard chickens and later be found in the edible portions of their eggs. Out of an abundance of caution, do not eat the eggs from…

California residents and homeowners who have experienced wildfire can face major hurdles during the recovery process, including issues with rebuilding, near-home soil contamination, drinking water safety, and others. There are state and federal programs available to help offset the costs associated with fire…