L.A. County Supervisors Approve Expansion of Fire Debris Disposal
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently voted unanimously to allow the Calabasas Landfill to accept wildfire debris beyond its usual service area. This decision, which also increases waste limits at two other landfills, has ignited concerns among local residents who fear potential health and environmental risks.
What This Means for Calabasas
The Calabasas Landfill, located in the unincorporated Agoura area, typically serves a 350-square-mile region. However, with this vote, the landfill is now permitted to receive ash and debris from the entire Palisades fire burn zone and possibly from the Eaton fire and other affected areas. The Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Sylmar and the Lancaster Landfill will also see increased daily waste allowances for wildfire debris—2,900 additional tons for Sunshine Canyon and 4,000 for Lancaster.
County officials insist that this measure is necessary to quickly clear potentially hazardous debris from properties devastated by the fires, reducing immediate threats to public health and the environment. However, many residents and environmental advocates strongly disagree.
Community Concerns and Protests
Residents near the landfills have voiced their opposition, arguing that the debris should be sent to specialized hazardous waste facilities rather than community landfills. They fear that toxic ash, containing harmful substances like lead and arsenic, could spread to nearby homes and water sources. The decision has sparked heated protests, with demonstrators in Calabasas and Granada Hills blocking trucks and rallying with signs reading, “No Toxic Dump!”
One Agoura Hills resident passionately addressed county supervisors, stating, “Our property is threatened, our families are threatened, our health is threatened—and we’re at your mercy. We implore you to do the right thing.”
Health Risks and Safety Measures
Public health experts warn that wildfire ash can contain a mix of dangerous chemicals. While hazardous waste is typically sent to specialized facilities, emergency waivers allow disaster debris to be disposed of in conventional landfills. Officials claim that safety measures, such as using water to suppress dust, will minimize risks, but residents remain skeptical.
“The problem is, these health issues don’t appear immediately,” said Granada Hills resident Kasia Sparks. “We don’t want to wait 20 years to realize we made a mistake.”
Legal Action and Next Steps
The City of Calabasas has taken legal steps to challenge the decision, seeking a restraining order to prevent the landfill from accepting the debris. Additionally, local residents have raised funds to hire private attorneys, emphasizing that without proper testing, there is no guarantee of safety.
Conclusion: A Tension Between Public Safety and Environmental Responsibility
The debate over wildfire debris disposal highlights the complex balance between swift disaster recovery and long-term community health. As legal battles unfold and protests continue, the future of waste management in Los Angeles County remains uncertain. For now, residents of Calabasas and surrounding areas are left to question whether enough is being done to protect their families and neighborhoods from potential harm.