Three years ago, an underground fire ignited at California's Chiquita Canyon Landfill due to oxygen introduced into the pollution control system, causing rapid decomposition and smoldering. This unprecedented event released toxic gases and hazardous liquid waste, leading to thousands of complaints from nearby residents experiencing nausea, dizziness, and breathing difficulties. The fire has since tripled in size, and a massive garbage mound on a hillside now threatens an avalanche of waste and chemical-filled leachate. Initially considered a rare disaster, California regulators have discovered similar high-temperature conditions at two other landfills: El Sobrante and Avenal. This raises concerns about the prevalence of such disasters across the state. While Chiquita Canyon stopped accepting new waste at the end of 2024, the fire is expected to burn for years, as underground landfill fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish. Residents are struggling with the prolonged wait for a solution, with some resorting to wearing gas masks or selling their homes. The long-term environmental and health impacts remain a significant concern.