By Matthew Stone
In covering the January fires, the San Fernando Valley Sun highlighted Whiteman Airport’s “vital role” as a base for firefighters protecting Angelenos from the Hurst Fire in Sylmar. With more information, a deeper look is now possible.
This past January 8, Whiteman became the base for state firefighting units combating the Hurst Fire while Burbank and Van Nuys airports provided the response to the Palisades Fire. From Pacoima to Sylmar and back, water-dropping helicopters took decisive advantage of Whiteman to contain the nearby blaze – likely sparing the northeastern San Fernando Valley from the similar devastation wrought by the Eaton Fire of Altadena and Pasadena.
Despite this success and community support for the airport, LA City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez alleges Angelenos “derive no value” from Whiteman and has joined local nonprofits Pacoima Beautiful and ICON CDC in demanding closure. Since 2020, Rodriguez and these nonprofits have touted their personal agendas for the Whiteman property … all of which entail intensive development.
Although all of these airport opponents seek development, details vary: Monica Rodriguez promotes new construction; likewise, Pacoima Beautiful proposes building “over 1000” new homes and industrial buildings while ICON CDC emphasizes a “strategic objective” of converting Whiteman into private, for-profit commercial real estate. All of these ideas have been publicly pitched and each has been thoroughly panned by Angelenos, who preferred keeping Whiteman open.
From the outset of their 2020 campaign against the airport, Pacoima Beautiful leveled a variety of allegations against Whiteman such as hazardous lead emissions and noise pollution. Independently conducted scientific testing disproved each of their claims, with the airport’s property demonstrably cleaner than required by law. In fact, the audit found the airport’s surroundings were cleaner than the norm in LA County. Similarly, airport noise was found to be confined to Whiteman’s own land. One after another, anti-airport claims fell apart in the face of science … yet Pacoima Beautiful ignores these facts.
Angelenos on social media, reacting to the Sun’s recent article, were overwhelmingly thankful for Whiteman and its help against the Hurst Fire. Airport opponents’ development aims were mocked as a “joke” while residents ridiculed the suggestion that shopping malls are more valuable than Whiteman. This groundswell of support illustrates the support the airport enjoys and extinguishes any lingering doubts about its popularity – also evidenced by unanimous support for Whiteman from neighborhood councils. Angelenos favor Whiteman Airport, even as special interests target it.
Countless homes in Sylmar and surrounding areas were saved from the Hurst Fire by Whiteman-based air tankers’ help. One notable example would be the home of Bobby Arias, president of Champions in Service. In 2021, Arias credited Whiteman-based firefighters with twice saving his home while a part of Whiteman’s advisory committee.
Unfortunately, in 2023, Arias shunned the recommendations of those firefighters and ignored his own experiences to vote in favor of closing Whiteman. Arias, a Rodriguez ally and donor to her 2022 reelection campaign, voted against the protective operations which have saved his own home three times now.
The January 2025 fires in Los Angeles have spurred debate over local emergency preparedness – a crucial and necessary topic for discussion. Angelenos, aware of the significance of equipment like airborne tankers and facilities such as Whiteman Airport, must also place a similar focus on community leaders to ensure Los Angeles is never deprived of crucial public safety resources. Anti-airport politics have no place in this day and age.
Angelenos are adamant: they want Whiteman Airport operational the next time the community needs its help. That reality is clear – but what Monica Rodriguez and her allies will do is not. Will airport opponents finally accept Angelenos’ decision or continue pushing their unpopular agendas?
Matthew Stone
Simi Valley
Matthew Stone is a licensed pilot who has flown from Whiteman Airport extensively but has no professional or institutional affiliation with the airport.
Hi, Thank you for sharing the perspective of a pilot who occasionally uses Whiteman Airport for convenience, business, or pleasure. However, those of us who actually live near the airport have serious concerns about the everyday air pollution, lead contamination, crashes, noxious odors, and excessive noise. We would prefer the airport be closed!
I urge you to consider the impact on our community and to respect our wishes. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez has acknowledged our concerns, and we believe she understands the importance of addressing them, especially if she wants to be re-elected.
Having grown up near Whiteman Airport, it was very much an asset to many of us. It must be protected. It is a wonderful airport and was a gateway for me and many others to achieve careers in aviation. Thanks to Whiteman Airport many aviation techs, flight instructors, helicopter pilots, fixed wing pilots and the many fire and law enforcement pilots have careers and businesses. All general aviation airports are an asset to Los Angeles and especially during any citywide disasters. Many friends of mine still live in Pacoima & LVT and are very much in support of Whiteman Airport.