Wildfires: workgroup: toxic heavy metals.

Senator Niello's wildfire safety legislation establishes an interagency workgroup to address toxic heavy metal exposure in California communities affected by wildfires. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Office of Emergency Services, and Department of Toxic Substances Control would collaborate with academic researchers and public health experts to develop protocols for protecting first responders and residents from metals like chromium-6 that can become airborne during high-intensity fires.

The workgroup would examine methods for preventing and remediating heavy metal contamination, including bioremediation through vegetation and bacterial treatments. Their mandate includes creating outreach materials and recommendations for wildfire-impacted communities while studying ways that fire departments and response agencies can minimize exposure risks during operations. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection may contract with universities and research institutions to support these efforts.

The legislation requires the participating agencies to report their findings to the Legislature within three years of the workgroup's first meeting. The bill's findings note that California experienced over 10 million acres burned between 2018-2025, double the previous decade's annual average, creating unprecedented cleanup challenges. Recent research indicates extreme heat from wildfires can transform naturally occurring soil elements into toxic airborne particles, prompting the need for enhanced safety protocols.