Breathing the Crisis: Chiquita Canyon’s Hidden Environmental Emergency
The Fire Beneath the Surface
In a quiet corner of Castaic, California, a hidden hazard has been slowly worsening. Beneath the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, an underground “elevated temperature event”—a smoldering, chemical fire—has been raging since 2023. It’s not just a heat issue: the fire is releasing toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide into nearby neighborhoods, causing severe odors and raising serious health concerns. Residents report frequent headaches, nausea, and eye irritation, with over 25,000 odor complaints filed to date.
A Community Left in the Smoke
Local families, especially in the rural community of Val Verde, have borne the brunt. Some wear gas masks during daily routines. Others have installed indoor air purifiers, with support from the landfill operator Waste Connections. Yet, the smell persists. Many say they feel forgotten. Despite multiple state agency violations over two years, no real enforcement—until now—has stopped the crisis. One leachate spill even reached the Santa Clara River, prompting new environmental alarms.
Cracking Down with Fines
On January 26, 2026, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control delivered a long-awaited verdict: the landfill is officially out of compliance and now faces $25,000 in daily fines until remediation begins. Combined with earlier EPA citations, the total pressure on Waste Connections may finally be strong enough to force change. Regulators demand a permanent fix—not just band-aid solutions—to extinguish the fire and contain gas emissions.
The Fight for Environmental Fairness
The Chiquita Canyon crisis isn’t just an isolated incident—it’s a powerful example of environmental injustice. A low-income community has been left to suffer quietly while hazardous conditions worsened beneath their homes. What began as a local nuisance has grown into a regional environmental health emergency, and the world is just now taking notice. As pressure mounts on the landfill operator, residents continue their call for accountability and long-term healing. This Pulse stands with them.