Outrage is mounting in Calabasas and Topanga Canyon over controversial plans to dispose of hazardous fire debris from the Palisades fire in sensitive residential and ecological areas.
Residents are demanding transparency and accountability as details emerge about proposed dumping sites, including near Lupin Hill Elementary School in Calabasas and the state park lands located at Topanga Canyon at PCH.
“This Stuff Kills People”
Over Second Yesterday, when made aware of the proposed waste collection site via social media, Malibu city council member Steve Uhring expressed his concerns in a series of emails obtained exclusive to Malibu Daily News.
Multiple city council members were unaware, and did not have input in the the decision of where to designate the debris collection sites which scheduled to start within the next few days.
In Uhring’s email correspondence with Mayor Doug Stewart and city staff, he stated, “Because they are a government agency, we should not simply trust that this site will be properly managed. This stuff kills people.” Uhring also called for more detailed and public plans for the site’s management, adding, “We owe the residents the details.”
Local activists have echoed Uhring’s concerns, demanding a thorough environmental impact assessment and public hearings to address potential risks. Despite these growing concerns, this issue was notably absent from the Malibu City Council meeting Monday night, leaving residents frustrated over the lack of proactive discussion and engagement from their local leaders.
Toxic Dump Near Lupin Hill Elementary Sparks Parental Concerns
In Calabasas, parents are sounding alarms over claims that a landfill near Lupin Hill Elementary School has signed a contract to accept debris from recent wildfires. The close proximity of potentially hazardous materials to the school has raised fears of long-term health risks for children and staff, as well as environmental contamination.
Screenshots shared in local forums show growing frustration among residents. “Our children’s safety should be the top priority,” one parent said. “We need immediate answers and transparency about what’s being dumped so close to the school.”
The landfill’s agreement to accept fire debris has added urgency to concerns that waste disposal processes are being rushed without sufficient oversight or public engagement.
Topanga Canyon Faces an Environmental Threat
Meanwhile, in Topanga Canyon, residents are voicing fierce opposition to a separate proposal to transport and dispose of toxic waste from the Palisades fire into the ecologically sensitive state park lands near the beach. This fragile habitat, which is also a site of historical significance, faces irreversible damage, activists warn.
Community members argue that the proposal risks poisoning the beach and surrounding ecosystem for generations to come. “Dumping fire debris here is irresponsible and reckless,” said a Topanga activist. “The site is already vulnerable from the fires, and this move will only deepen the ecological disaster.”
In addition to environmental damage, locals highlight the potential harm to the cultural heritage of the area, which holds deep significance for both Indigenous communities and the region’s history.
Countywide Concerns Over Transparency
The lack of public engagement in these decisions has sparked outrage across Los Angeles County. A forwarded email from LA County Sanitation officials, shared with Malibu Daily News, confirms plans to expedite fire debris disposal, including seeking regulatory waivers to bypass standard operating procedures. While the email mentions certifications to ensure debris is free of hazardous waste, residents remain skeptical about monitoring and enforcement.
“The waiver process shouldn’t come at the cost of environmental safeguards,” a Topanga resident said. “The community deserves a say in decisions that will affect their health and environment for decades.”
A Call for Accountability and Alternatives
Residents of both Topanga and Calabasas are calling for immediate public hearings and environmental impact assessments before any plans proceed. Activists and parents alike are urging Los Angeles County to explore alternative solutions, such as expanding existing landfill sites in less sensitive areas or investing in advanced waste processing technologies.
“We understand the urgency of managing fire debris, but we cannot allow rushed decisions to destroy our communities and ecosystems,” said a Calabasas parent.
A Unified Fight to Protect Communities
As the controversies escalate, the communities of Topanga Canyon and Calabasas are joining forces to protect their neighborhoods, schools, and natural surroundings. Both areas are calling on policymakers to prioritize long-term environmental health and public safety over short-term convenience.
This united stand underscores a larger issue facing Los Angeles County as it grapples with the aftermath of increasingly destructive wildfires: how to balance urgent cleanup needs with sustainable and safe waste management practices.
This is a developing story.
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