Residents Plead for Help as Chiquita Canyon Landfill Fire Triples in Size

 

By Santa Clarita Star Staff

03/22/2025 at 12:30 PM

 

Residents of Santa Clarita Valley are demanding urgent action as the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, which has been burning underground since 2022, continues to wreak havoc on their health and environment. At a March 13, 2025, press conference, Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo and fellow legislators joined community members to call for a state of emergency, citing severe health issues like cancer, respiratory problems, and autoimmune disorders linked to toxic gases from the landfill. Frustrations were further fueled by reports of disrespectful conduct at a recent community advisory meeting, where residents accused an L.A. County employee of disrupting discussions and silencing their voices.

 

 

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-AD40) joined fellow legislators and residents of the Santa Clarita Valley on March 13, 2025, to call for immediate state and local action to address the ongoing health and environmental crisis caused by the Chiquita Canyon Landfill. The landfill, which has been burning underground since 2022, has been linked to severe health issues, including cancer, respiratory problems, and autoimmune disorders, among nearby residents.

 

At a press conference in Val Verde, Schiavo, and other Assemblymembers heard emotional testimony from community members who described the devastating toll the landfill has taken on their health and quality of life. Residents reported frequent nosebleeds, headaches, skin irritation, and chronic illnesses, with many attributing their conditions to prolonged exposure to toxic gases and chemicals emanating from the landfill.

“This is not a quick fix. This could be burning for decades,” Schiavo said. “We have to prioritize public health in this moment. We have to make sure we’re keeping our communities safe.”

 

The landfill, located near Val Verde and Castaic, has been the subject of ongoing efforts to mitigate the underground fire, including installing an airtight geomembrane and removing toxic liquids and gases. However, Schiavo noted that these measures have failed to contain the fire, which has nearly tripled in size. She criticized the landfill’s recent decision to end a community relief program that provided financial assistance for medical bills, air filtration systems, and utility costs.

 

“People here are getting sick every day,” Schiavo said. “This is an urgent, urgent situation that needs to be treated with urgency.”

 

Residents shared harrowing stories of their struggles. Yasmina Valdivia, a member of the Val Verde Civic Association, recounted how her late husband died of cancer, and her children have suffered from severe gastrointestinal issues. Jennifer Elkin, a mother of three, described her family’s daily battles with headaches, nosebleeds, and rashes, while Brandi Howse, a 25-year resident, detailed her recent diagnosis of stage three breast cancer and her daughter’s autoimmune disorder.

 

“We’re scared. We’re afraid. We just want to be normal again,” Howse said. “We want to open our doors and have barbecues without worrying about the air we’re breathing.”

 

Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-AD04), John Harabedian (D-AD41), Gail Pellerin (D-AD28), Jasmeet Bains (D-AD35), and Sade Elhawary (D-AD57) joined Schiavo in calling for a state of emergency declaration to unlock resources for the community. They emphasized the need for tax relief, relocation assistance, and robust air quality monitoring to address the crisis.

 

“This isn’t just a Val Verde problem. This is an L.A. County, California problem,” Harabedian said. “We’re all responsible for this. This is our trash.”

 

Dr. Jasmeet Bains, a physician and Assemblymember, criticized the lack of health studies and data on the landfill’s impact.

 

“Where are the studies and data that show what the health impacts are?” she asked. “The public health department didn’t even join the Zoom meeting we had today. That’s unacceptable.”

Schiavo urged the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to declare a state of emergency, noting that most of the board has supported such a move. She also called on the state and federal government to intervene if local officials fail to act.

 

“We are done talking about the problem. We know what it is,” Schiavo said. “We need action to give people relief, to keep them safe, and to stop more neighbors from showing up with cases of cancer.”

 

The press conference concluded with a unified call for accountability and immediate intervention to protect the health and well-being of the Santa Clarita Valley community.

Resident Calls for Respectful Conduct at Chiquita Canyon

 

Landfill Meetings Amid Growing Tensions
The press conference came just days after a meeting of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill Community Advisory Committee meeting where residents claimed an employee of L.A. County was disruptive and rude. A recent letter to Bob Lewis, chair of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill Community Advisory Committee, highlighted growing frustration over the conduct of L.A. County employee Stephanie English during a March 11 committee meeting. Abigail DeSesa of Castaic expressed deep concern over English’s repeated interruptions of community members and elected officials during public comment, calling the behavior disrespectful and disruptive. DeSesa criticized English for what she described as an abuse of power and a lack of empathy toward residents suffering from the landfill’s ongoing health and environmental impacts. The letter emphasized the need for respectful dialogue at meetings, noting that such conduct discourages community participation. DeSesa also thanked the committee for its dedication to addressing the crisis while urging better oversight to ensure a more respectful and productive environment for all attendees.