Victor Valley Times

Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) has formally invited Governor Gavin Newsom to tour the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, where an ongoing underground fire is affecting the health and safety of nearby communities.

“Every day for the last two years residents of Val Verde and Castaic have had to put up with the foul, overwhelming odors coming out of the landfill. Worse than that, it’s making them sick,” said Senator Wilk. “While state, county, and federal agencies have been working to fix the problem, real relief is long overdue. This crisis certainly rises to the level of the governor, and I strongly urge him to visit the site and experience situation firsthand.”

Since May 2022, an underground chemical fire at the landfill has produced noxious odors, hazardous leachate, and elevated levels of benzene. As a result, tens of thousands of complaints have been filed by residents citing respiratory issues, eye irritation, nausea, and more.

In various meetings with state agencies involved in the cleanup efforts, it has been determined that declaring a State of Emergency is not necessary to expedite odor mitigation or resident relief efforts.

However, in his letter to Governor Newsom, Senator Wilk highlighted residents' frustration with slow progress and concerns about long-term health effects. He emphasized that a gubernatorial visit is crucial for accelerating action:

“Your presence would strongly underscore the state’s commitment to resolving this crisis. A visit would provide a firsthand look at the severity of the situation and allow for direct dialogue with affected residents and stakeholders. It may also inspire potential new solutions and increased support. I urge you to prioritize this visit and help bring much-needed visibility to this ongoing public health and environmental issue."

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