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County OKs temporary increases at landfills to receive fire debris; residents press for safer disposal
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved temporary tonnage increases and watershed waivers to allow local landfills to receive debris from January’s wildfires, while residents and cities pressed for remote disposal of potentially hazardous material.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 25 approved temporary measures to speed the removal of fire-generated ash and debris from the Jan. 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires, authorizing increased daily tonnage at several local landfills and lifting watershed restrictions for Calabasas Landfill.
The board’s action: At the recommendation of County Public Works and in coordination with state and federal agencies, the board temporarily increased permitted daily tonnage at Sunshine Canyon and Lancaster landfills and authorized Calabasas Landfill to accept disaster-related debris from outside its usual waste shed, after staff said state and federal rules allow such approvals for public-health emergencies. The board’s roll call on the measure was recorded as unanimous.
Why supporters said action was needed: County staff and federal partners said thousands of structures were destroyed or damaged and that moving ash and debris from uncontrolled parcels into lined landfill cells reduces long-term exposure risk. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and CalRecycle described a “wet” containment and transport method — wrapping and wetting debris before haul and final burial in lined landfill cells — and said prior wildfire debris operations have used similar steps.
Community opposition: Dozens of residents and local elected officials from Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Granada Hills and other neighborhoods spoke during a lengthy public comment period. They raised repeated concerns that household-ash and burned-material streams can contain asbestos, heavy metals and other hazardous compounds and that nearby landfills have records of odor and emissions problems. Speakers and several city councils urged moving debris to remote, fully permitted hazardous-landfill facilities (for example Kettleman City was cited) rather than to landfills located near schools, parks and homes. Several public commenters referenced past landfill violations at Sunshine Canyon and asked for additional testing and monitoring.
Regulatory and operational details: County and state agencies said the state Water Boards’ disaster-related waste discharge requirements and CalRecycle’s guidance are the governing frameworks; local Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and regional air and water boards retain inspection and enforcement authority. County staff said operators will wet and burrito-wrap loads, visually inspect incoming loads, and use leachate and liner systems at lined cells; regulators committed extra onsite monitoring during the operation.
Next steps and risks: County staff and agencies said they would increase inspections and coordinate traffic and routing to limit neighborhood impacts. Several cities and community groups said they would pursue legal options if they believed residents’ long-term health was at risk. The board directed staff to continue coordination with state and federal partners on testing and disposal options.
Ending: The board framed the vote as balancing urgency to clear debris from the landscape with the obligation to protect neighborhoods; many residents said they want that balance to include shipment of highly contaminated materials to remote hazardous disposal sites rather than nearby municipal landfills where possible.
