The city of Los Angeles has declared a state of emergency as a massive warehouse fire continues to burn for the fourth consecutive day, producing large amounts of irritating smoke that has affected air quality across the metropolitan area.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared the emergency on Saturday to mobilize state resources to support the city’s response to fire smoke, public health risks, and subsequent cleanup operations. The fire began on Wednesday afternoon at a cold storage facility on the 1400 block of Los Palos Street in downtown Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Jamie Moore described the incident as “very unique” due to the facility’s enormous size and hazardous interior conditions. The warehouse spans approximately 46,000 square meters and contains approximately 85 million pounds of frozen food products, which rely on ammonia-based refrigeration systems.
“This is not a typical structure fire,” Moore stated. “The combination of ammonia refrigeration, high-density foam insulation, and rooftop solar panels has created conditions that are extremely difficult to extinguish.”
Firefighting efforts have been complicated by the nature of the burning materials. The facility’s wall insulation contains high-density foam that continues to burn slowly, releasing hazardous gases. Authorities have deployed heavy-duty helicopters typically used for brush fires to conduct aerial water drops, marking the first time such equipment has been used at this scale for an urban structure fire.
Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis noted that the primary public health concern stems from fine particulate matter in the smoke, which can irritate ears, nose, throat, and lungs. The risk is particularly acute for individuals with pre-existing heart or lung conditions.
Mayor Karen Bass declared a local emergency on Friday to ensure the city has access to necessary resources during the firefighting and recovery efforts. The declaration enables activation of California’s disaster relief programs and access to additional state-level assistance.
Shelter-in-place orders were lifted on Thursday, though residents have reported smelling smoke across multiple areas including the San Gabriel Valley, northeast Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, and downtown.
Lineage Logistics, the company operating the facility, issued a statement indicating the fire may have originated from a third-party contractor testing rooftop solar panels. The company emphasized that the facility did not store hazardous materials.
No injuries to firefighters or civilians have been confirmed as of Sunday afternoon. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.