Spokane to Host Free Soil Testing Event October 24

The Washington State Department of Health will provide soil and lead testing for residents at Coeur d'Alene Park.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Asthma

Bold vector editorial illustration of a gardening trowel and sample container on soil, representing community environmental health testing. — The Washington State Department of Health will host a free soil and lead testing event at Spokane's Coeur d'Alene Park on October 24. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is now a good time to test your residential soil for potential contaminants?

The Washington State Department of Health will host a free soil testing event at Coeur d'Alene Park on October 24, 2026. This service aims to address contamination concerns following regional wildfires.

Why it matters

Recent wildfire activity in the Spokane area has raised community concerns regarding the presence of particulate matter, lead, and arsenic in residential soil. The initiative provides residents with a way to assess potential environmental hazards in their own yards.

Residents should provide one to two cups of soil collected from depths of six inches for gardens or two inches for other areas. Smaller areas require three samples, while larger areas need five to 10 samples for adequate analysis.

The players

Washington State Department of Health

This government agency oversees public health initiatives and environmental safety standards across the state.

The details

Department officials will also accept children's toys at the event to conduct specialized lead testing. Experts recommend gathering samples from several random locations throughout a yard to ensure the results accurately represent the property.

The testing event will take place on October 24, 2026, from 8 a.m. to noon.

The Big Picture

This event follows similar efforts to track environmental hazards after air quality thresholds like the National Weather Service's Air Quality Index indicate a high presence of particulate matter from wildfires. It marks a shift toward assessing long-term soil safety in fire-prone regions.

Residents can utilize this testing to identify potentially harmful heavy metals that may impact household health and child safety. By participating, homeowners receive actionable data to determine if remediation or safer gardening practices are required.

The takeaway

Testing your soil after wildfire activity provides peace of mind regarding the safety of your home environment. Prioritize testing areas where children play or where you cultivate produce to minimize exposure to heavy metals.