Evidence of Dangerous Subsurface Fire at Avenal Regional Landfill: Community Demands Immediate Action
Contact: Christian Bisher (christian.bisher@ccejn.org)
AVENAL, CA – Newly uncovered public records reveal compelling evidence that a dangerous subsurface fire is actively burning at the Avenal Regional Landfill, posing urgent risks to the health and safety of nearby residents.
Subsurface landfill fires are not ordinary events—they are environmental emergencies. They can lead to catastrophic site collapse, groundwater contamination, hazardous waste creation, and the release of toxic fumes. The Avenal Regional Landfill sits just 500 feet from the nearest residence, with the entire town of 14,000 people living within 1.5 miles of the site.
“The community of Avenal needs an effective, coordinated response from local, regional, and state agencies to stop this landfill from becoming the next environmental catastrophe like Chiquita Canyon near Castaic,” stated Jane Williams, Executive Director of California Communities Against Toxics.
Mounting Evidence of a Subsurface Fire
Public documents obtained by the Central California Environmental Justice Network (CCEJN) show multiple warning signs consistent with criteria established by CalRecycle for identifying subsurface fires, including:
Excessive Temperatures: Landfill gas readings have exceeded 145°F since 2024 and now top 160°F. CalRecycle notes that surface temperatures above 145°F may indicate a subsurface fire.
Declining Methane Concentrations: Historic methane levels of 30–50% have dropped to the low single digits and mid-20s. Concentrations below 15% can signal a subsurface fire.
Rising Carbon Monoxide Levels: Once below 100 ppm, carbon monoxide levels now average over 900 ppm, with recent highs of 1,490, 1,500, 2,570, and 3,420 ppm in four wells. CalRecycle states that concentrations over 1,500 ppm strongly suggest a subsurface fire.
Community Demands Immediate Response
CCEJN has submitted a formal letter to regulators demanding swift and decisive action, including:
Formation of a multi-agency emergency response team to assess and contain the fire.
Immediate air and leachate testing for benzene and other hazardous contaminants.
Comprehensive measurement of down-well temperatures to better understand the fire’s progression.
A community meeting within days, followed by regular updates to keep residents fully informed.
“We are frustrated with being left out and not getting clear information from the agencies that should be protecting us,” said one local resident. “We need answers now about the rising well temperatures and what risks they bring to our community.”
Ruben Rodriguez, Senior Community Organizer with CCEJN, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “Residents deserve timely, respectful answers. This crisis is a chance for agencies and the community to work together—and that requires clear communication and transparency.”
About the Central California Environmental Justice Network (CCEJN)
CCEJN is a long-standing environmental justice nonprofit dedicated to securing clean air, safe and affordable drinking water, farmworker rights, and food sovereignty in California's San Joaquin Valley. Since 1999, we’ve worked alongside low-income communities of color to challenge environmental injustice and to build a healthy and sustainable future. Learn more at ccejn.org.
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