Los Angeles Declares State of Emergency Due to Persistent Warehouse Fire

Cause of the Fire

Lineage Logistics operates the affected building. They believe the fire originated during testing of the solar array on the roof by third-party contractors.

State of Emergency Explained

Declaring a state of emergency allows the city to activate its emergency response structure. This involves assessing damages, estimating costs, and requesting state aid. This support is crucial for firefighting, cleanup, environmental monitoring, and community recovery efforts. As of Saturday, the state has not issued its own emergency declaration.

Challenges in Extinguishing the Fire

The fire began on Wednesday and has persisted for four days. The building is a 500,000-square-foot commercial facility that stores 85 million pounds of frozen food. Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jamie Moore likened it to a large cooler. The corrugated steel walls contain dense foam that burns slowly and releases gases, despite helicopter water drops.

LAFD Chief Deputy Jon O’Brien reported significant smoldering remains beneath debris and solar panels. The building’s size and inaccessible fire areas require creative firefighting strategies, including the use of helicopters and heavy equipment.

Air Quality and Health Effects

Chief Moore advised individuals with lung issues or smoke sensitivities to limit outdoor activities. Though hazardous materials have been mitigated, concerns over biohazards from spoiled food remain. L.A. County Health Officer Muntu Davis emphasized smoke and fine particles as major health risks. These can irritate the ear, nose, throat, and lungs, and worsen heart and lung conditions.

Sensitive individuals should use well-fitting N95 and P100 masks and register for emergency alerts at alertla.org.

Risks Related to Batteries

Authorities mention potential risks from lithium-ion batteries, often used with solar panels. The presence of such batteries in Boyle Heights can’t be confirmed immediately, but the building contains approximately 60 lithium-ion battery forklifts, which are currently safe. LAFD Battalion Chief Nicholas Ferrari noted a dangerous operation had isolated or relocated 56 of these forklifts away from the flames.