Amarillo city officials are launching a sweeping review of landfill operations after state regulators found the landfill was not properly covering trash weeks before the destructive Stinky Fire ignited and spread across neighborhoods, damaging or destroying more than 75 homes.
In a public statement released Thursday, Amarillo City Manager Grayson Path confirmed that the landfill superintendent is no longer employed by the city following his review of a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality investigation and related operational records.
“I have had the opportunity to review the materials associated with the compliance investigation conducted by TCEQ on or about April 30, 2026, and supporting documentation related to City landfill operations,” Path said in the statement.
“As a result of my review and discussions with my executive team, the landfill superintendent is no longer employed by the City. This development does not end my inquiry into this matter.”
The statement came after TCEQ determined the City of Amarillo landfill violated state landfill cover requirements earlier this month. A complaint regarding the landfill was filed with the agency on April 30, alleging the site was “improperly covering deposited waste.”
According to state records, TCEQ inspectors found the landfill in violation of Texas Administrative Code Chapter 330, Subchapter D, Rule 165 on May 7. The regulation requires Type I landfills such as Amarillo’s to apply six inches of compacted earthen material over waste at the end of each operating day. The rule is intended to reduce fire risk, odors, disease vectors, scavenging and windblown debris.
TCEQ issued a formal Notice of Violation on May 20, three days after the Stinky Fire began burning.
The fire erupted Sunday and quickly intensified, fueled by dry and windy conditions. The blaze swept into nearby residential areas, forcing evacuations and leaving dozens of families displaced. Local officials have continued damage assessments while residents begin recovery efforts.
In a Facebook video released Thursday, Path addressed both the fire response and the TCEQ findings, acknowledging the seriousness of the compliance concerns.
“Given what our community has just experienced, this is deeply concerning to me,” Path said. “Prior to the fire on Sunday, and prior to the notice of violation being issued, I was not aware that there might be a compliance concern of this kind at the landfill.”
Path explained that although landfill staff attempt to limit dangerous materials, combustible items still regularly enter the waste stream.
“The reality is that many combustible items and materials that can start fires do end up in the trash and in the landfill,” he said.
He added that landfill crews are typically able to detect fires early and extinguish them before they spread. However, he said the Stinky Fire was not discovered until smoke was reported Sunday, when the landfill was closed.
“Unfortunately, in this case, the fire started at some point and was not identified until we received the report of smoke on Sunday,” Path said. “A day when the landfill is not in service.”
Path emphasized that the city is now conducting a “thorough review” of landfill operations and internal communication procedures.
“We will be looking closely at what happened, when it happened, who knew what and when, and the circumstances behind this violation,” he said.
The city manager also accepted ultimate responsibility for city operations.
“As city manager, I am ultimately responsible for how our organization performs,” Path said.
In his written statement, Path said the city will continue working closely with TCEQ while taking immediate steps to improve landfill oversight and compliance.
“I remain fully committed to working with TCEQ and making sure that all readily available resources are mobilized to cover exposed trash in compliance with regulations, to operate the landfill in a clean, responsible manner, and to institute measures to facilitate real-time monitoring of the landfill’s condition by executive staff,” Path said.
He added that the city will “continue to strive to correct any other deficiencies relating to landfill operations and will implement all available measures to reinforce our commitment to safety and compliance.”
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