Buried Truths: Fire Debris, Landfills, and the Fight for Ecological Recovery

According to a New York Times articles, many residents and even decision-makers are unaware that fire debris and ash are being dumped into the Calabasas landfill without adequate public dialogue or ecological safeguards. Here is a link to the article: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/24/magazine/landfill-calabasas-los-angeles-wildfire-ash.html?unlocked_article_code=1.hE8.LuAG.pl4UV4O55btt&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

As someone who began a career as an environmental analyst and planner, deeply immersed in California’s environmental laws, I’ve spent decades working on waste, landfills, and climate resilience. Leaving the corporate world to launch 301 Organics and focus on organic waste was a purposeful shift because the crisis we’re facing demands solutions that are both science-based and community-rooted.

Fire victims deserve more than reactive cleanup. They deserve restoration. And there are solutions. At 301 Organics, we’ve been practicing biological soil recovery, using compost-based treatments that rebuild microbial life, restore function, and reduce toxicity. The results speak for themselves: post-treatment testing is coming back with clear signs of ecological rebound. These aren’t just numbers. They’re proof that healing is possible.

Public officials have a responsibility to look beyond short-term disposal and toward long-term regeneration. We invite you to engage with practitioners who are already doing the work, and to support models that prioritize health, transparency, and resilience. The land is telling us what it needs. We just have to listen.