Residents in Simi Valley's Big Sky neighborhood are expressing strong dissatisfaction with a foul odor that has permeated their community for weeks. The smell is attributed to millions of pounds of spoiled meat and produce from a fire-ravaged Lineage Logistics cold-storage warehouse in Los Angeles' Boyle Heights.
The odor is reportedly most noticeable when afternoon winds sweep through the neighborhood, and some residents have also reported a rise in fly activity. Pradepa Nachimuthu, a Big Sky resident, described the smell as "really bad" and expressed concern about the quality of life in the area.
Complaints filed with the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District led to the agency issuing a notice of violation to the landfill, requiring it to address the problem. The district stated it is continuing to monitor the situation and respond to further complaints.
The spoiled food originated from the Lineage Logistics facility, a six-story warehouse in Boyle Heights where a significant fire began on June 17. The blaze destroyed the facility's refrigeration systems, leading to the spoilage of an estimated 85 million pounds of food, including beef, chicken, and seafood. The fire burned for over a week before being extinguished on June 24.
The cleanup operation has involved hundreds of workers and contractors and is estimated by Lineage to cost approximately $100 million. However, the disposal of the spoiled food has created a new set of issues for surrounding communities.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued over 30 citations related to the conditions at the warehouse, citing decaying organic waste and fly activity. The South Coast Air Quality Management District announced that the bulk removal of spoiled food from the Boyle Heights warehouse has been completed, marking a significant phase in the cleanup. Lineage has seven days under an abatement order to finish remaining tasks, including debris removal, power washing, and disinfecting the facility.
Officials expect odors to continue decreasing as the cleanup progresses. The cause of the June fire remains under investigation. Lineage has suggested the fire may have started during testing of a rooftop solar array, a conclusion disputed by Altus Power, the owner of the solar installation, which states the cause is undetermined. Investigations by the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Department of Building and Safety are ongoing.