CALABASAS FIRE DEBRIS LEGAL UPDATE AND MORE
To our Protect Calabasas Family:
We can’t thank you enough for your unwavering support in our fight against the toxic fire debris dumping at the Calabasas Landfill. Below, you’ll find critical updates on the next stages of this battle. Please take a moment to read through each point, as it outlines our progress and the support we still need from you.
While the county is actively working to oppose our efforts, we are standing firm and stronger than ever.
1. LEGAL UPDATE - We need your support!
On February 20, 2025, Protect Calabasas filed a complaint alongside the City of Calabasas' complaint and their request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), which will be heard on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 1 PM.
We are now entering a critical phase of this legal fight that requires substantial funding. The next 30 days are urgent—this is the window to secure a preliminary injunction or other emergency relief.
If the TRO is granted, we will immediately file for a Preliminary Injunction, which involves costly steps like gathering evidence, hiring experts, and drafting motions.
The TRO temporarily halts fire debris, but without the Preliminary Injunction, the TRO expires, and the trucks will begin. We need your financial support to continue this fight!
PLEASE DONATE TO THE: LEGAL FUND HERE
COPIES OF THE LEGAL FILINGS CAN BE FOUND AT PROTECTCALABASAS.ORG. EMAIL SUPPORT@PROTECTCALABASAS.ORG FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
2. PROTECT CALABASAS TOWN HALL TODAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025 AT 4PM.
Join us for an important townhall hosted by Protect Calabasas, where we will provide updates on our ongoing efforts to prevent fire debris from being dumped in our community. We’ll hear from local leaders, including the City Council and School Board, as well as expert insights from a doctor on the health risks posed by the debris. We will also discuss the potential impact on housing in the area. The event will conclude with a Q&A session, giving you the chance to ask questions and engage in this critical conversation. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and involved!
Moderator + Panelists: Natasha Downing, Protect Calabasas. Michelle Geller, Protect Calabasas. Kelly Martino, Protect Calabasas. Alicia Weintraub, City of Calabasas Councilmember (Current) & (Mayor 2019-2020, 2023-2024). Dallas Lawrence, Las Virgenes School Board President. Dr. Maryam Ghavami, Pediatrician.
REGISTER FOR THE TOWN HALL HERE: PROTECT CALABASAS TOWN HALL REGISTRATION
3. OPPOSE 10 - LA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS RECOMMENDING TO LIFT THE RESTRICTIONS AT THE LANDFILL!
These are the excerpt below is from the LA County Board of Supervisors website. This clearly signals that bringing fire debris to the landfills that can’t accept hazardous waste simply shifts the threat to life, public health, and safety from one area to another. The real acts of nimbyism are being committed by those making decisions about fire cleanup. This is an immediate danger to all communities and must be removed swiftly to designated hazardous waste sites—far from residential areas—to allow fire victims to return and begin rebuilding safely, and to prevent other communities from becoming the second wave of victims in this tragedy.
THE LA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS RECOMMENDED TO: "Find that the temporary waiver of the wasteshed restrictions at the Calabasas Landfill to allow it to accept debris generated by the January 2025 Windstorm and Critical Fire Events, which is necessary to eliminate immediate threats to life, public health and safety, and improved property, and to ensure economic recovery of the affected communities to the benefit of the community-at-large; authorize the Calabasas Landfill to temporarily accept material from outside of the wasteshed to accommodate the emergency disposal of debris generated by the January 2025 Windstorm and Critical Fire Events, effective immediately and continuing for six months initially, with a possible extension options, as necessary, by the Director of Public Works, in concert with the Chief Engineer of the County Sanitation Districts, as part of disaster response and recovery efforts and when it is in the public interest to do so, provided that the excess tonnage amounts consist solely of debris resulting from the January 2025 Windstorm and Critical Fire Events; authorize the Sunshine Canyon and Lancaster Landfills to temporarily increase their tonnage limits effective immediately and continuing for 120 days initially, with an option of extension by the Board, upon joint recommendation from the Directors of Public Health and Public Works, as part of disaster response and recovery efforts and when it is in the public interest to do so, provided that the excess tonnage amounts consist solely of debris resulting from the January 2025 Windstorm and Critical Fire Events; and find that the proposed activities recommended herein are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act."
THE LA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS ALREADY PUSHED THIS THROUGH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. NOW, A PUBLIC HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025, AT 9:30 AM PT. WE MUST MAKE OUR OPPOSITION LOUD AND CLEAR.
ADD YOUR COMMENTS AND SHOW YOUR OPPOSITION: OPPOSE 10 HERE
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If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of these points, or if you need further information, please feel free to contact us at support@protectcalabasas.org or connect with us on social media @protectcalabasas.
We also invite you to visit our website at www.protectcalabasas.org where we post regular updates.
We are deeply grateful for your continued support, and we are proud to stand together in this important fight. Let’s win this together!
With gratitude and determination,
Protect Calabasas