Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - Azusa, Baldwin Park, Duarte and Irwindale announced their opposition to a plan by the EPA to dump debris left by the Eaton Fire in an open field near the San Gabriel River and are working to shut down the operation.

The Environmental Protection Agency has already prepped and set up operations at the Lario Staging Area, 15701 E. Foothill Blvd. The above-mentioned cities alleged they did not receive advanced notification about the debris processing site, nor were the cities given the opportunity to register concerns about potential soil, water and air contamination.

The site is slated to open early this week for the collection and processing of hazardous household debris, including lithium electric vehicle batteries.

“While the Cities are completely in solidarity with our neighboring communities, we are extremely disappointed with the lack of respect to our local residents for not being notified of the EPA’s clean up efforts and having toxic materials transported to our backyards,” according to the City of Duarte in a written statement, adding “the Cities will work to formally oppose this site, as well as mobilize efforts to shut down the site as soon as possible.”

Eric Nold, on-scene coordinator with the EPA, is working at the Lario processing site and said “We don’t want to do any of this type of activity out there in the middle of the community.”

Debris is slated to be brought in daily via backroads to avoid the freeways.

The Lario Staging Area is adjacent to the San Gabriel River Bikepath, frequented by bicyclists. To the north are the San Gabriel Canyon spreading grounds and Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area to the south.

The EPA has outlined measures to minimize the impact of the debris to be processed at the site, including spill control measures, continuous perimeter, air monitoring, water trucks to reduce visible, dust emissions and plastic lining to be applied to all material processing areas.

Debris will be sorted into appropriate waste streams and packaged for proper shipment and disposal.

Duarte officials are working with Senator Rubio’s Office to host a town hall in Duarte and allow residents to voice their concerns. More information about this forum is underway, according to Duarte officials.

In the meantime, residents concerned about the processing site are urged to express concerns by calling the USEPA at 1-833-798-7372.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - Police jailed another arson suspect, the second to reportedly ignite a fire in less than a week.

The suspect, Maninder Singh, a 33-year-old Baldwin Park resident, allegedly ignited a fire in a flood control channel that runs under Arrow Highway just east of the 605 freeway January 17. First responders were sent to the fire around 7 a.m., according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Los Angeles County Firefighters doused the blaze.

Singh was booked on suspicion of arson and possession of drug paraphernalia. Los Angeles County Fire Department Arson Investigators later joined the investigation, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

“This marks the second arson-related arrest in Irwindale this week. With ongoing fires and a state of emergency in Los Angeles County, we urge all residents to avoid using flammable materials in riverbeds and surrounding areas to ensure the safety of our community,” according to the Irwindale Police Department in a written statement.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call Irwindale Police Detective Leonard Garza at 626-430-2290.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - A Baldwin Park man is accused of lighting multiple fires near the 605 freeway Sunday afternoon.

The suspect, 29-year-old Ruben Montes, was witnessed by firefighters as he was lighting flames along Rivergrade Road and the 605 Freeway January 12. Firefighters were originally called to the area around 12:30 p.m., according to the Irwindale Police Department.

It is unclear if the fires Montes allegedly lit caused any damage.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE, 7:27 p.m.: Firefighters have stopped forward progress of the Gabriel Fire at 30 acres. The Fire is at least 60 percent contained.

IRWINDALE - A reported 10-acre brush fire is burning inside Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area.

The fire is reportedly burning in a northerly direction and is potentially threatening structures.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has sent a full brush fire assignment along with two helicopters.

A second alarm has been requested, which would double resources at the scene.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - A Baldwin Park man was booked on suspicion of arson, accused of lighting a destructive fire Monday night.

A security guard at a business in the 13900 block of Live Oak Avenue reported a man lighting bushes on fire near a commercial business just before 8 p.m. November 13.

The preliminary estimated value of the damage is $4,000, according to Sgt. Cornejo of the Irwindale Police Department.

Angel Barraza, 34, was found after a search and the security guard identified Barraza as the man who set the fires, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Barraza was arrested at 8:18 p.m. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court Wednesday, November 15, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - The destructive warehouse fire that burned near Arrow Highway and the 605 freeway October 9 killed four people, the Irwindale Police Department said.

Investigators believe an illegal butane honey oil extraction lab was being operated inside the warehouse At 1418 E. Arrow Highway. Witnesses reported that at least one individual fully-engulfed in flames was seen running from the building. After the fire was extinguished, the charred remains of three males were found, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

The person seen running from the building was found nearby. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, but later died.

“Due to the suspicious nature of the fire, an outside law enforcement task force was requested, responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The investigation as to the cause of the fire is ongoing,” according to the Irwindale Police Department in a written statement.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call Irwindale Police Detective Nicholas Lopez at 626-430-2239, or by email at [email protected]. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

IRWINDALE – A Baldwin Park man was arrested July 10, four days after allegedly igniting a destructive blaze at an Irwindale business.

Jose Carlos Estrada, 41, is accused of igniting a fire that burned up a stack of more than 200 plastic pallets, steel shelving material and a metal shipping container July 6. The property burned behind a closed business in the 5300 block of North Irwindale Avenue just before 1 a.m., according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Surveillance video of the arson helped investigators identify the suspect who had previous run-ins with Irwindale officers.

A patrol officer located Estrada driving a vehicle near Irwindale Avenue and Foothill Boulevard July 10 around 5:10 p.m. After a traffic stop, officers found items in Estrada’s vehicle tied to the arson. Also found was drug paraphernalia, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Firefighters saved the business, but the loss from burned property is estimated at nearly $10,000, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Estrada is being held at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles in lieu of $50,000 bail. He was scheduled for an appearance in the West Covina courthouse July 12.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - There is no threat to the community after a small brush fire ignited at Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area Thursday afternoon.

The fire is holding at two-acres. The fire was nestled between the San Gabriel River Bikepath and the San Gabriel River. Firefighters were first dispatched at 5:22 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Firefighters announced that they have hose lines completely around the fire and forward progress has been stopped at 6:18 p.m.

A water-dropping helicopter from the Los Angeles County Fire Department is using Encanto Park as a staging area, according to the City of Duarte.

Firefighters were getting into contact with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority to provide assistance to those living in the riverbed.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - Homicide investigators are determining what led to the death of a woman who was found deceased near Azusa Canyon Road and Cypress Street Wednesday night.

The death was reported to authorities at 10:50 p.m. March 2, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

It is not yet publicly clear how the victim, described by Homicide detectives as a Black female adult, died.

At 10:45 p.m., firefighters were called to extinguish a 10-foot-square grass fire at the same location. Callers reported a possible body at or near the scene of the fire, according to a dispatch supervisor with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, who seemed unsure if firefighters on scene confirmed a body was found.

A fatal crash occurred there February 20 after a westbound vehicle on Cypress jumped the curb at Azusa Canyon Road, broke through a chain link fence and plunged roughly 180 feet into the Olive Pit mine.

IRWINDALE – A four-acre brush fire was quickly stopped after igniting in the San Gabriel Riverbed Monday afternoon.

There were no injuries and no structures were threatened in the small fire that was dispatched to firefighters at 3:45 p.m. October 4. Firefighters on the ground were assisted by two helicopters, one of which performed water-dropping duties.

The only major threat came from an intense storm cell, which produced lightning just one mile south of the fire, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department radio traffic.

Huntington Drive between Encanto Parkway and Irwindale Avenue was blocked for several hours while firefighters worked.