Cities oppose hazardous fire debris processing at Irwindale park

The cities of Duarte, Azusa, Irwindale and Baldwin Park have opposed federal plans to use Lario Park to process hazardous debris from the Eaton Fire, officials said Monday.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has prepared the site, located at 15701 E. Foothill Blvd., with plastic spill control measures and will monitor air quality during operations scheduled to start next week, according to a statement from Duarte officials.

The cities reported that there was no prior notice nor a chance to publicly voice concerns about possible environmental impact and the proximity to residents of truckloads of toxic substances rolling through communities.

Fire debris such as lithium electric vehicle batteries and other possible toxic materials, will be transported to the site each day, “processed into appropriate waste streams,” packaged for shipment and sent out for final disposal, EPA officials said.

“While the cities are completely in solidarity with our neighboring communities, we are extremely disappointed with the lack of respect to our local residents for not being notified of the EPA’s cleanup efforts and having toxic materials transported to our backyards,” according to the Duarte statement.

Arcadia Mayor Michael Cao on Tuesday added concerns from his foothill city about the EPA’s decision to transport hazardous waste nearly 15 miles from the fire sites to Lario Park

“I was disappointed to learn that Lario Park was selected as the site for the Eaton Fire hazardous waste cleanup, with no advanced warning or opportunity for community input,” Cao said in a statement. “The wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles County must be cleaned up, but I cannot understand how trucking hazardous waste through so many vulnerable communities, and placing near homes and schools, is the best possible option.”

A water truck will do routine dust suppression to minimize visible emissions, and EPA officials intend to do sampling of the site after work is completed to assess possible negative impacts.

Trucks will use back roads from the fire zone to Lario Park to avoid the Foothill (210) Freeway. When the hazardous waste is processed for shipping or disposal, U.S. Department Transportation-approved trucks will haul materials to selected disposal facilities using the “quickest authorized paths,” according to the EPA.

The specific route trucks will take to haul the hazardous fire debris was not disclosed.

The cities plan to formally oppose the debris site and advocate for its closure “as soon as possible,” according to the Duarte statement.

The cities are also working with the office of state Sen. Susan Rubio, D-West Covina, to organize a town hall in Duarte for residents to discuss their concerns, with details forthcoming.

Residents who are concerned with the EPA’s plans can call the agency at 833-798-7372. Officials also said additional information is available from the Duarte City Manager’s Office, 626-357-7931

LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who represents the area, said while the plan to haul hazardous waste through foothill communities was concerning, the EPA supersedes local jurisdiction because the project takes place on federal land.

“The removal of these materials should not come at the cost of creating a toxic environment for communities already disproportionately impacted by pollution,” Solis said in a statement.

Solis said her team visited Lario Park on Monday morning along with Rep. Gil Cisneros, D-Azusa, and local officials. Solis urged federal agencies to keep the public well-informed as recovery efforts proceed in the region.

The LA County Department of Parks and Recreation had held a lease with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the use of Lario Park, which is in an unincorporated area of the county near Irwindale. The Corps of Engineers, however, recently amended the contract to remove the county from the lease and its corresponding jurisdiction over the park, according to published reports. Since Wednesday the Corps of Engineers and EPA are responsible for the park’s day-to-day and ongoing management, operation and security.

Updated Jan. 29, 2025, 8:05 a.m.

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