Several Southern California cities are uniting against an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hazardous waste processing site established for debris from the devastating Eaton Fire. Azusa, Irwindale, Baldwin Park, and Duarte have expressed strong disapproval of the Lario Park location, which began accepting debris on Monday, including lithium electric vehicle batteries and other hazardous household materials.

The cities released a joint statement criticizing the lack of notification to residents about the EPA's cleanup efforts and the transport of toxic materials into their communities. They plan to formally oppose the site and work towards its swift closure. This follows a packed Duarte City Council meeting where over 150 residents voiced their concerns.

A woman searches through the remnants of a home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on January 21. (AP/Noah Berger)

According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, EPA On-scene Coordinator Celeste McCoy informed the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors that the site's expedited opening was directed by a presidential order from Donald Trump. The White House confirmed the order, issued last Friday, aims to accelerate the rebuilding process and mandates a plan for efficient debris removal by the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, and the EPA.

A home is consumed by flames during the Eaton Fire in Altadena on January 8, 2025. (Josh Edelson)

The EPA reportedly plans to use the site for hazardous waste processing for 30 days, followed by several months of storage. Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump visited the region on Tuesday, providing aid to affected families in Altadena, including donations of shoes and food boxes through The Dream Center nonprofit.

Residential areas devastated by the Eaton Fire are seen on January 19 in Altadena, California. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

In response to the fires, Los Angeles County officials have authorized an independent review of their emergency alert system's performance during the Eaton and Palisades Fires. The Eaton Fire tragically resulted in 17 fatalities, with evacuation orders issued for some Altadena neighborhoods on January 7, after reports of houses on fire.