TCEQ Clears Amarillo Landfill Air After Fire

Multiple structures and vehicles were destroyed by the Stinky Fire northwest of Amarillo. Following community concerns about air quality near the city landfill, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) conducted an investigation.

The TCEQ reported on May 27 that air monitoring revealed no harmful compounds, concluding there was no cause for concern. Mayor Cole Stanley stated his responsibility is to communicate state agency findings to the public.

However, some residents remain unconvinced. Former city councilmember Tom Scherlen suggested recent rains might have cleared the air, advocating for long-term monitoring. Another resident noted persistent odors and eye irritation, with his family conducting independent soil and water sample testing.

An earlier TCEQ investigation on April 30 noted a violation for failure to apply daily earthen cover to deposited waste. The landfill is authorized to operate a Type 1 municipal solid waste landfill and processes various types of waste.