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orywireEmergency declarations are in place as crews continue work at a Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse. The shelter-in-place order has been lifted, but officials say residents should still limit smoke exposure and check air-quality updates.
Emergency declarations are in place for the Boyle Heights warehouse fire as crews continue work at a cold-storage facility on South Los Palos Street. The shelter-in-place order has been lifted, but smoke guidance remains important: residents who smell smoke or see ash should stay indoors when possible, keep doors and windows closed and check official air-quality alerts.
LAFD said in a Saturday evening update that aerial suppression operations had ended for the night and ground crews would remain active using large amounts of water and a structural firefighting robot. The department said wall instability, changing smoke conditions and the scale of the building make the incident a complex, long-duration response.
Fire crews first responded at 2:35 p.m. Wednesday to 1400 S. Los Palos St., where fire was visible from the roof of a large single-story commercial building. LAFD said a suspected ammonia leak early in the response prompted commanders to move crews into a defensive posture while hazardous-materials specialists worked on the source.
Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency for Los Angeles County on Saturday, saying state agencies would support local response and public health efforts. The governor’s office said Cal OES and other agencies are authorized to provide added resources as needed for response and recovery.
Mayor Karen Bass also issued a local emergency declaration. The Associated Press reported that the city sought state assistance, including support under the California Disaster Assistance Act, as officials work to contain the fire, manage smoke impacts and plan for cleanup.
South Coast AQMD’s June 20 bulletin extended a particle pollution advisory through 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The agency said smoke from the structure fire was affecting air quality east of downtown Los Angeles and that monitors and sensors had recorded PM2.5 levels from “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” to “Very Unhealthy” in parts of central Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, the East San Fernando Valley and the Northwest San Bernardino Valley.
The advisory is not a shelter-in-place order. LA County’s emergency page said the Boyle Heights shelter-in-place order for Zone LFD-1279-A has been lifted, but a smoke advisory remains in place and people sensitive to smoke should avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure.
Public health officials advise residents to limit exposure if smoke or ash is present. That means staying indoors, closing windows and doors, avoiding vigorous outdoor activity, running an air purifier if available, and using air conditioning on recirculation when possible.
County public health officials also advise against using swamp coolers or whole-house fans that bring outdoor air inside during smoky conditions. People who must be outside for a long time in heavy smoke or ash should consider an N95 or P100 mask. Anyone with severe or worsening symptoms, including difficulty breathing, chest pain or significant respiratory distress, should seek medical help.
At least 12 people were shot and one other person was injured after a red SUV pulled up near a crowd in Chicago’s Princeton Park area. Authorities had not announced arrests in the latest reports checked.
Three hikers died after apparent heat-related illness on the South Kaibab and North Kaibab trails, the National Park Service said. The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for lower elevations of the Grand Canyon from Monday morning through Tuesday evening.
Los Angeles County lists two temporary shelter sites for residents affected by the fire. Small pets are welcome at both locations.
1126 N. Hazard Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90063
145 S. Pecan St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
The county says residents can check evacuation status through Genasys and sign up for Alert LA County emergency notifications. LAFD, LA County Public Health and South Coast AQMD remain the most important official sources for updates on firefighting operations, health guidance and air quality.
The cause of the fire has not been announced. Officials have described continued suppression, smoke monitoring and cleanup planning as the response moves into a longer phase.
LAFD and public health agencies have warned that smoke conditions may change as weather shifts and as crews continue working inside and around the building. This story should be updated when LAFD issues a new incident update, when South Coast AQMD changes the advisory, or when local officials announce cleanup, reopening or health guidance.
The FAA has barred unauthorized drone flights near U.S. World Cup stadiums and selected fan events. Operators can face steep fines, criminal charges and drone seizures, and federal officials have announced seizures near tournament sites.
