Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared an emergency to obtain necessary resources to combat a large warehouse fire in Boyle Heights. Significant smoke plumes have resulted from the blaze.

In a news release, Bass stated, “The city and county have opened spaces for families seeking relief from the smoke, and we will continue working around the clock to fully extinguish this fire.” The fire originated at a privately owned cold-storage warehouse, causing shelter-in-place orders due to hazardous air risks. Residents were instructed to close windows, doors, and vents, turn off air conditioning, and stay indoors with pets.

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore noted that the hazardous materials challenge has been addressed, and efforts are now focused on biohazards. “We have 85 million pounds of frozen food inside this facility, and the building layout makes entry difficult due to zero visibility,” Moore explained. “Our firefighters are unable to just go in and move pallets.”

The mayor’s emergency declaration seeks support under the California Disaster Assistance Act and requests the state expedite access to resources and relief programs. Bass emphasized concern for the health and safety of those affected by the fire. She stated that securing aid to relocate and safely dispose of toxic materials is crucial to prevent a major environmental disaster. “This is about prevention,” Bass added. “This is about protecting public health.”