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EnvironmentQuiet 5d · day 6

Toxic underground fires spread across California landfills

Three years after discovery at Chiquita Canyon, similar fires now detected at two other landfill sites, raising questions about scope of the crisis.

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What to know

  • Chiquita Canyon's underground fire has tripled in size since 2023 and now threatens to release toxic avalanche into nearby communities.
  • At least two additional California landfills (El Sobrante and Avenal) are now experiencing similar toxic underground fires, raising questions about whether this is a broader systemic problem.
  • Residents in Val Verde and Castaic report severe health effects including nausea, headaches, and respiratory problems; some have abandoned homes or sleep in parking lots to escape toxic air.
  • The fires were triggered by pollution control system malfunction that introduced oxygen into old waste, accelerating decomposition and heat generation.

How it unfolded

  1. Reaction Story amplified on social platforms

    News of toxic underground fires spreading at California landfills circulates on Mastodon and Hacker News, reaching broader tech and news-focused audiences.

  2. Report Similar fires detected at other landfills

    California regulators discovered that at least two other landfills are experiencing similar conditions: scorching temperatures have overtaken at least 30 acres of El Sobrante landfill near Corona in Riverside County, and excessive heat and emissions have been detected at Avenal landfill in the San Joaquin Valley.

  3. Event Fire triples in size, threatens community

    The underground fire at Chiquita Canyon has tripled in size. A warped mound of garbage on a hillside threatens to trigger an avalanche of garbage and chemical-filled leachate into nearby communities.

    “In a worst case scenario, the hillside can liquefy and actually slide into the community.”

    Assembly member Pilar Schiavo, D-Santa Clarita
  4. Event Chiquita Canyon fire discovered

    Environmental regulators discovered garbage burning deep inside Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Santa Clarita Valley. The landfill's pollution control system had introduced oxygen below, causing decades-old waste to decompose and generate intense heat.

What people are saying verbatim

“In a worst case scenario, the hillside can liquefy and actually slide into the community.”

Assembly member Pilar Schiavo, D-Santa Clarita, California state legislator · News Tribune · Jul 31

“The gas is getting into our homes and I am waking up sick every morning. Where is the relief for that?”

Abigail DeSesa, Val Verde resident · News Tribune · Jul 31

“They are already suffering -- prisoners in their own homes. They have a great trampoline in front of their house. They can't jump around on because of this toxic air.”

Assembly member Pilar Schiavo, D-Santa Clarita, California state legislator · News Tribune · Jul 31