L.A. County Approves Increased Wildfire Debris Dumping Limits at Landfills

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a controversial plan to increase daily dumping limits for wildfire debris at the Calabasas, Sunshine Canyon, and Lancaster landfills, despite significant opposition from local residents concerned about potential health risks. The Calabasas Landfill, typically restricted to accepting waste from a designated area, will now accept debris from outside that region for six months, while the Sunshine Canyon and Lancaster landfills will also see increased tonnage limits. The changes aim to expedite the removal of potentially toxic debris from the Palisades and Eaton fire zones, where over 13,000 structures were damaged or destroyed. Critics, including local officials, argue there is insufficient assurance that hazardous materials can be effectively separated from non-hazardous waste. County officials maintain that hazardous waste has already been removed by the EPA, and that the plan is a necessary response to an urgent public health situation. The approved measures are set to be temporary, with varying durations depending on the landfill.