The use of a third 60-foot flare was approved by the South Coast Air Quality Management District late last week as a way of further mitigating the strong odors coming from Chiquita Canyon Landfill.

The Air Quality District’s approval followed a review and approval of the flare by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The Air Quality District issued its approval of the flare on Sept. 28. The flare’s foundation was then permitted by Los Angeles County Public Works’ Building and Safety Division on Sept. 29. The privately-owned Chiquita Canyon Landfill is now authorized to operate a total of three flares.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who has sent letters and met with leaders from the Air Quality District and other agencies responsible for issuing the permits to urge them to do so quickly, said she was pleased with the progress.

“I’m very glad that the South Coast Air Quality Management District has allowed a third flare to be added to this fight. It is an important tool that will help with odor-control by dissipating the gasses trapped in the depths of the landfill” she said. “I am especially pleased that our Public Works department issued a permit for the flare’s foundation in less than 24 hours. This is the type of urgency and fast action that I am expecting. The surrounding community deserves nothing less.”

The Air Quality District’s authorization of a third flare allows it to be connected through plastic manifolds to vertical wells that are linked to above-ground vents. The authorization also allows Chiquita Canyon Landfill to construct an additional 140 vertical gas collection wells, bringing the total of allowable wells to 250.

Once constructed, the new flare will then be spark-ignited using solar panels, while filters and flame arrestors are used for safety. The thermal reaction eliminates landfill gas odors by destroying the odor-causing gasses that exist deep within the landfill.

Presently, the newly added third flare is expected to be delivered to Chiquita Canyon Landfill by Tuesday, Oct. 10. The flare must be operational by 45 days from the date that SCAQMD issued their permit.