L.A. Braces for State of Emergency Over Boyle Heights Warehouse Fire

Los Angeles city officials plan to declare a state of emergency due to a warehouse fire in Boyle Heights, which continues to emit irritating smoke across the region. The fire, which began Wednesday, presents unique challenges, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jamie Moore.

The fire is located in a 500,000-square-foot facility at 1400 S. Los Palos St., containing 85 million pounds of frozen food. This site, described as being like a ‘giant cooler,’ features corrugated steel walls with dense foam, making the fire difficult to control even with helicopter water drops.

Moore advises individuals with lung issues or smoke sensitivity to stay indoors. Although the hazardous-materials threat has been mitigated, efforts are now concentrated on the biohazard from the spoiled food.

A previous shelter-in-place order was lifted, yet many reported poor air quality on social media in areas like San Gabriel Valley, Northeast Los Angeles, and more. The situation has been compared to the Eaton fire in Altadena in January 2025.

The Red Cross has established two smoke respite shelters, one at City Terrace Park and another at Pecan Recreation Center, to offer relief to residents.

Mayor Karen Bass announced pending declaration of a state of emergency and has contacted Gov. Gavin Newsom seeking additional support. ‘The primary concern is your safety and health,’ Bass said, emphasizing the potential toxins in the smoke from chemicals used in the facility.

L.A. County health officer Muntu Davis highlighted that the smoke and fine particles could irritate the ear, nose, throat, and lungs, or exacerbate heart and lung conditions. Davis urged people, especially those with pre-existing health conditions and children, to be vigilant about their health.

Lineage Logistics owns the warehouse. While they could not be reached for comment, a statement to CBS indicated the fire might have been started during solar array testing. They affirmed their commitment to community safety and are working with local agencies to offer assistance.

Efforts to control the fire face challenges, such as flare-ups and explosions when the fire hit an ammonia line. These complications prompted repeated shelter-in-place orders which were finally lifted Friday morning.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a special particle pollution advisory, effective until mid-day Saturday, due to the smoke.

Firefighters are using creative strategies like water-dropping helicopters due to the building’s large size and difficult-to-reach flames. LAFD Battalion Chief Nicholas Ferrari mentioned the fire’s complexity, as it involves a freezer with insulated materials. Initial responses included removing ammonia from the refrigeration system. ‘As these hazards are cleared, we are getting closer to extinguishing the fire completely,’ Ferrari stated.