What's That Smell
A recurring, unexplained odor has been showing up across Long Beach, Seal Beach, and Huntington Beach. No one source has been confirmed yet. Here's who to call, and what each call actually does.
If you smell gas right now
Strong smell, near a damaged line, or anything that feels dangerous — call 911. Otherwise, call SoCalGas on the emergency number at socalgas.com, staffed 24/7. They dispatch someone to check it out.
South Coast AQMD has an open investigation into recurring coastal-area odor complaints across Long Beach, Seal Beach, and Huntington Beach. Their own page states plainly: the source or sources have not been clearly identified. There are multiple industrial and natural sources in the area capable of producing this kind of smell, and the fact that it comes and goes has made it hard to isolate. Local fire departments in all three cities take 911 calls during these events. Read AQMD's own page for the current state of the investigation: aqmd.gov coastal odor response.
South Coast AQMD (the regional air agency) has been investigating recurring odor events along the coast between Long Beach, Seal Beach, and Huntington Beach. As of August 2026, AQMD states the source or sources have not been clearly identified. Multiple industrial and natural sources in the area are capable of producing the smell, and its intermittent nature has made pinning it down difficult.
If you actually smell natural gas (a strong, distinct rotten-egg odor, often stronger near a specific spot) call SoCalGas — their emergency line is listed on socalgas.com and staffed 24/7. Call 911 first if you smell gas near a damaged line, a hissing sound, or anything that feels like an immediate hazard.
Immediate danger (hissing, visible damage, you can't leave the area safely): call 911. A strong gas smell with no visible hazard: call SoCalGas on the emergency number listed at socalgas.com — they dispatch to investigate leaks. A faint, widespread odor with no clear source, especially if others in the area report the same thing: that's the AQMD's coastal odor investigation. Report it to South Coast AQMD; their public information contact is publicadvisor@aqmd.gov.
Not as of this writing. Their coastal odor page states the investigation is ongoing and multiple potential sources are being evaluated. This page will get a note whenever that changes.
Checked August 2026. Numbers and agency guidance can change — SoCalGas's emergency line and AQMD's investigation page are the sources of record, not this page.