Los Angeles officials declared a local state of emergency Saturday as firefighters continued battling a large warehouse fire in Boyle Heights that sent smoke across much of the city and raised concerns about air quality and public health.
Mayor Karen Bass announced the emergency declaration after contacting the office of Gov. Gavin Newsom to request state support. The fire, burning at a cold-storage warehouse, has produced heavy smoke visible and detectable miles away, prompting repeated advisories for residents to remain indoors.
Emergency
Bass said the declaration is intended to ensure the city has access to additional resources as firefighting and public safety operations continue.
“While the LAFD continues making progress, this is a major, multi-jurisdictional incident,” Bass said in a statement. “I’m issuing an emergency declaration to ensure the City has the resources it needs as this operation continues and to keep the community safe.”
City and county officials have opened facilities for residents seeking temporary relief from smoke exposure. Bass said local agencies are coordinating around the clock to fully extinguish the fire and address its impacts.
Fire Response
The Los Angeles Fire Department described the blaze as a complex incident involving a 500,000-square-foot cold-storage facility operated by Lineage Logistics. The building contains roughly 85 million pounds of frozen food.
Fire Chief Jamie Moore said the structure is particularly challenging because it functions like a massive insulated cooler. Corrugated steel walls are burning slowly and releasing gases as helicopters drop water from above.
“The food’s not savable, unfortunately,” Moore said. “What we’re dealing with now is 85 million pounds of food that’s about to go bad and spoil.”
Firefighters have urged residents to remain inside their homes, keep windows closed and use air conditioning rather than outside air. Officials cited concerns about products of combustion inside the facility, including chemicals used to maintain freezing temperatures.
Air Quality
The South Coast Air Quality Management District reissued a particle pollution advisory through midday Sunday. As of early Saturday afternoon, most of Los Angeles was classified as having moderate air quality. Several neighborhoods, including Chinatown, Koreatown, Los Feliz, parts of Glendale and Historic Highland Park, were listed as unhealthy.
Under the unhealthy category, sensitive groups are advised to stay indoors, and officials warn that even the general population may experience adverse health effects.
“These products of combustion are just not good for anybody to breathe, period,” an LAFD spokesperson said.
LA County health officer Muntu Davis said fine particles from the smoke pose the greatest risk, particularly for people with existing lung or heart conditions.
“People really need to pay attention to how they feel, especially if they have underlying health conditions, and watching children as well,” Davis said.
Community Impact
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who represents Boyle Heights, said residents have faced several days of smoke, shelter-in-place guidance and uncertainty about long-term health effects.
“Boyle Heights deserves clear information, direct support, and full accountability throughout the response, cleanup, and recovery process,” Jurado said.
Most of the city should expect to smell the fire, according to fire officials, with reports of odor extending into surrounding parts of Los Angeles County.
State Support
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said it is providing real-time aerial intelligence to incident commanders and stands ready to deploy additional resources if requested.
Bass and LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, whose district includes Boyle Heights, said they are working on a joint local-state emergency declaration to streamline coordination and assistance.
“We clearly need resources from the state to allow us to take the steps that are needed to make sure that this area is safe,” Bass said at a Saturday press conference.
Clean Air Shelters
Officials have opened two clean air shelters for residents seeking relief from smoke exposure:
Boyle Heights: Pecan Recreation Center, 145 S. Pecan St
East Los Angeles: City Terrace Park, 1126 N. Hazard Ave
Authorities said shelters may expand depending on air quality conditions and community needs.
Outlook
Fire officials said crews will remain on scene as they work to fully contain the blaze and monitor air quality. Health officials urged residents to follow advisories closely and limit outdoor activity until conditions improve.
The incident highlights the challenges of fighting large industrial fires in dense urban areas, particularly when hazardous smoke affects neighborhoods far beyond the immediate fire zone.
FAQs
Where is the warehouse fire located?
At a cold-storage facility in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles.
Why was a state of emergency declared?
To secure additional resources for firefighting and public safety.
Is the smoke dangerous?
Yes, it contains fine particles and combustion byproducts.
Which areas have unhealthy air quality?
Parts of LA including Koreatown and Highland Park.
Where can residents find clean air shelters?
At Pecan Recreation Center and City Terrace Park.
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