Filter feeding mussels serve as bioindicators of intertidal coastal ecosystems, in particular for heavy metals that can be toxic to wildlife and humans. This study investigated the concentration of heavy metals (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se, Zn) in ocean water, beach sediment, and mussels (Mytilus californianus) near Pitas Point, California. The samples were procured before, during, and after the 2015-2016 rain season (October-July); during which time a nearshore brushfire broke out near the sampling site. Metal concentration in samples were determined with an Agilent inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) 7900 series using EPA Methods 3052 and 3051A. Baseline (October) mean concentrations in mussels (dry weight) were 282±39 ppm, 1.46±0.2 ppm, 361±46 ppm, and 1.5±0.15 ppm for aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), and nickel (Ni), respectively. Mussels collected in January showed a percent increase of 130, 124, 143, and 120 for Al, Cr, Fe, and Ni, respectively. Overall, the data suggests that pyrogenic remobilization of trace elements can significantly alter water quality in intertidal coastal ecosystems with nearshore brush prairies. A cycle that can be exacerbated by drought conditions resulting from climate change in California.