Fire & Smoke Damage Assessment | California

When California wildfires or building fires occur, the impact to neighboring areas can have tremendous fallout. Contamination from smoke, soot, char, and ash or other hazardous materials burned can be carried with high winds to cause damage and significant contamination impact to all property types within range. Exterior/interior building surfaces, indoor air, as well as soil may be impacted and should be assessed by a qualified expert.

EHS Analytical Solutions uses science, analytical testing, and qualified professionals to assess the property. Improper assessments or cleaning protocols can lead to further contamination and extensive unnecessary costs.

EHS Analytical Solutions has the qualified experts you are looking for. We have professional experience evaluating numerous buildings including medical centers, universities, elementary schools, apartment buildings, and high-end residential homes which have been impacted by California wildfires and structure fires. We provide assessments to understand the scope of contamination, impact, and provide professional remediation protocols to get your building(s) or home back to normal and safe conditions. Also, after remediation takes place, we can verify that the remediation was effective and completed appropriately.

We proudly serve businesses, insurance adjusters, property managers/owners, and remediation contractors. Our goal is to get your property back to pre-loss condition and ensure proper remediation protocols are used and verified. Please call us at 619-288-3094 to schedule an assessment or click on the “get started” at the top of the page.

Why CIH-Led Fire & Smoke Assessments Matter

Fire and smoke damage assessment requires specialized expertise to accurately evaluate contamination and develop effective remediation protocols. Our Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH) bring years of experience performing smoke impact assessments for both wildfire and structure fire events throughout California.

Unlike general environmental consultants, our CIH team understands the complex chemistry of combustion byproducts, smoke particulate behavior, and proper remediation methodologies. We’ve successfully assessed properties impacted by major wildfire events like the Napa Valley fires as well as commercial structure fires throughout Southern California.

What CIH-Led Assessment Means for You:

Professional Credibility: Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH #9695CP) led evaluations that insurance companies and remediation contractors trust
Scientific Accuracy: Years of specialized experience in fire forensics and smoke contamination analysis
Effective Protocols: Remediation recommendations that actually work—saving property owners time and money
Independent Assessment: Third-party expert evaluation with no conflict of interest in remediation services

Our CIH and CSP (Certified Safety Professional) credentials ensure your assessment meets the highest professional standards, supporting insurance claims and guiding successful remediation.

Our Services Include:

Surface Sampling for Combustion By-Products
Indoor Air Quality Assessments (VOCs, PM1.0, PM2.5, PM5, and respirable particulates, and other airborne hazards)
Comprehensive Smoke Impact Assessment Report Including Remediation Protocols Based On Laboratory Analytical Data
Abatement Oversight, Including Documentation Summaries (if requested)
Post-Remediation Verification, Testing, and Reporting
Asbestos Surveys and Testing (as needed)

Rapid Response When You Need It Most

Fire and smoke damage requires quick action to prevent further damage and get your property back to normal. We provide fast professional assessments with flexible turnaround times to meet your specific needs.

Our Service Timeline:

Emergency Response: Same-day site assessments available for urgent situations

Standard Service: Complete assessment with laboratory results in 5 business days

Expedited Service: 1-3 business day turnaround available when you need faster results

Premium Rush Service: Same-day to next-day laboratory results (premium pricing for critical situations)

We understand that delayed assessments mean delayed insurance claims and delayed occupancy. Whether you’re dealing with a commercial structure fire that shut down operations or wildfire smoke impact affecting multiple properties, our rapid turnaround options help you move forward quickly while maintaining the professional accuracy insurance companies and remediation contractors require.

Why Fast Response Matters:

Prevents secondary damage from delayed remediation
Accelerates insurance claim processing
Reduces business interruption losses
Gets families back home sooner
Provides timely documentation for legal purposes

Advanced Fire Forensics Laboratory Analysis

We partner with specialized laboratories that are experts in fire forensics to provide the most accurate contamination analysis available. These specialized labs understand the unique chemistry of fire and smoke damage, providing analysis that general environmental labs cannot match.

Why Specialized Fire Forensics Labs Matter:

Accurate Identification: Proper identification of combustion byproducts including PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), soot, char, ash, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), airborne particulates and other harmful compounds specific to fire events

Advanced Methods: Industry-leading analytical methods designed specifically for fire and smoke contamination rather than generic environmental testing

Faster Turnaround: Specialized equipment and processes optimized for fire forensics enable rapid results without sacrificing accuracy

Credible Results: Laboratory analysis that insurance companies, remediation contractors, and regulatory agencies trust

Our lab partnerships ensure your assessment is based on the best available science, giving you confidence in remediation decisions and supporting insurance claims with credible data. Unlike consultants who use general environmental labs, we provide the specialized analysis that fire and smoke damage assessment truly requires.

Proven Experience on California Fire Events

Our team has successfully assessed fire and smoke damage across California, from major wildfire events to commercial and residential structure fires. We bring real-world experience to every assessment.

Notable Project Experience:

Napa Valley Wildfire Assessments Extensive work assessing wildfire smoke impact on residential and commercial properties during major Napa Valley fire events. Our CIH team evaluated numerous properties for smoke particulate contamination, developed remediation protocols, and conducted post-remediation verification testing.

Commercial Structure Fires Recent warehouse fire assessment in San Diego demonstrating expertise in industrial fire damage evaluation. Successfully assessed large commercial facility for combustion byproducts, provided detailed remediation protocol, and verified successful cleanup.

Multi-Family Properties Apartment buildings and condominium complexes affected by nearby wildfire smoke requiring comprehensive indoor air quality assessment and remediation planning.

High-Value Residential Detailed assessments of high-end homes impacted by wildfires including surface contamination analysis, HVAC system evaluation, and specialized cleaning protocols.

Medical and Educational Facilities Smoke contamination assessments for healthcare properties and schools requiring stringent indoor air quality standards and careful verification testing.

From wildfires affecting entire communities to isolated structure fires, we have the experience to accurately assess your specific situation and provide protocols that work.

Our Comprehensive Assessment Process

Our systematic approach ensures thorough evaluation and effective remediation planning for fire and smoke damage.

Step 1: Immediate Response & Initial Site Evaluation

We conduct a thorough visual inspection to understand the extent of fire or smoke impact, identify affected areas, and develop a sampling strategy specific to your property type and damage extent.

Step 2: Comprehensive Testing Protocol

Our CIH team collects surface samples for combustion byproducts, conducts indoor air quality testing for VOCs, particulates (PM1, PM2.5, PM5, and respirable particles), and samples all potentially affected areas, including HVAC systems, contents, and building materials.

Step 3: Specialized Laboratory Analysis

Samples are sent to our specialized fire forensics laboratories for expert analysis. Results are available in 1-5 business days depending on the service level selected. Laboratory reports include detailed analytical results and health-based comparisons.

Step 4: Professional Remediation Protocol Development

Based on laboratory results, we develop a detailed, project-specific remediation protocol specifying proper cleaning methods, appropriate cleaning products, containment requirements, HVAC cleaning procedures, and verification criteria.

Step 5: Abatement Oversight (Optional)

If requested, we provide oversight during remediation including documentation review, progress inspections, and coordination with remediation contractors to ensure protocol compliance.

Step 6: Post-Remediation Verification

After remediation is complete, we conduct verification testing using the same analytical methods as the initial assessment. This clearance testing confirms that contamination has been reduced to acceptable levels and the property is safe for reoccupancy.

Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

“During a wildfire, smoke can make the outdoor air unhealthy to breathe. Local officials may advise you to stay indoors during a smoke event. You should be aware that some of the smoke from outdoors can enter your home and make it unhealthy to breathe indoor air, too.” – EPA

Important Guidance on Worker Safety and Health in Wildfire Regions From Cal/OSHA

“Wildfire smoke and cleanup presents hazards that employers and workers in affected regions must understand. Smoke from wildfires contains chemicals, gases and fine particles that can harm health. Hazards continue even after fires have been extinguished and cleanup work begins. Proper protective equipment and training is required for worker safety in wildfire regions.” – Cal/OSHA

Frequently Asked Questions About Fire & Smoke Assessments

How quickly can you respond to a fire or smoke assessment request?

We can mobilize for same-day site assessments when needed for emergency situations like structure fires. For standard service, we typically conduct site visits within 1-2 business days and provide complete reports with laboratory results in 5 business days. Expedited options (1-3 days) and premium rush service (same-day to next-day lab results) are available when faster turnaround is required.

What types of properties do you assess?

We assess all property types including single-family homes, multi-family residential buildings, commercial properties, industrial facilities, warehouses, medical centers, educational institutions, and high-value estates. We’ve worked on everything from small residential fires to large wildfire-impacted communities throughout California.

Do you work with insurance companies?

Yes. We work directly with property owners, insurance adjusters, and remediation contractors. Our CIH-led assessments provide the professional credibility and scientific accuracy insurance companies require. Our reports support both claims processing and remediation decision-making with defensible data and clear recommendations.

What’s included in a fire and smoke assessment?

A comprehensive assessment includes: initial site evaluation, surface sampling for combustion byproducts (including PAHs and other toxic compounds), indoor air quality testing for VOCs, particulates (PM1, PM2.5, PM5, and respirable particles), HVAC system evaluation, specialized fire forensics laboratory analysis, and a detailed report with health-based conclusions and remediation protocol recommendations.

Do you provide remediation services or just assessment?

We specialize in assessment, testing, and remediation protocol development. We do not perform the actual cleaning or remediation work, which keeps our assessments independent and objective—a critical factor for insurance companies and legal purposes. We can provide abatement oversight and post-remediation verification testing to ensure work is completed properly.

How do you determine if remediation was successful?

We conduct post-remediation verification testing (clearance testing) using the same specialized analytical methods as the initial assessment. This testing confirms that combustion byproducts and particulate contamination have been reduced to acceptable levels based on health-based criteria. Our clearance reports provide the documentation needed for reoccupancy and insurance claim completion.

Do you serve all of California?

Yes. We’re based in San Diego and provide fire and smoke assessment services throughout California. We have experience from Napa Valley to San Diego County and can mobilize statewide for significant fire events. We maintain the capability to respond quickly for major wildfire events affecting communities anywhere in the state.

Looking for more specifics? Please see our other service lines or feel free to call us to discuss at any time.

Need Fire or Smoke Damage Assessment? We Respond Quickly

Whether you’re dealing with wildfire smoke impact or a structure fire, our CIH-led team provides rapid professional assessments to help you move forward with confidence.

Why Choose EHS Analytical Solutions for Fire & Smoke Assessment:

Same-day site assessments available for emergency situations CIH-led professional evaluations with years of fire damage experience Specialized fire forensics laboratory analysis for accurate results Results in 1-5 business days with expedited options available Proven experience from Napa Valley wildfires to commercial structure fires Work directly with property owners, insurance companies, and contractors Independent third-party assessments with no conflict of interest

Request Emergency Assessment (619) 288-3094

For emergency fire or smoke damage assessments, call us directly at (619) 288-3094. We can mobilize for same-day site visits and provide rush laboratory analysis when you need fast results.