{"id":4488,"date":"2026-06-22T00:56:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T00:56:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/06\/22\/la-firefighters-battle-warehouse-blaze-amid-concerns-over-billowing-smoke\/"},"modified":"2026-06-22T00:56:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T00:56:40","slug":"la-firefighters-battle-warehouse-blaze-amid-concerns-over-billowing-smoke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=4488","title":{"rendered":"LA firefighters battle warehouse blaze amid concerns over billowing smoke"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1vsw7yz\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"d02cd942-63c3-411a-b3b3-06d2b383c3b0\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Fire crews and warehouse fire\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/41d9c7e9a057c4c83dbcd995b76d84d260b4ece5\/808_0_7912_6328\/master\/7912.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"371.9059656218402\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">The warehouse fire in Boyle Heights, east of downtown Los Angeles.<\/span> Photograph: Ringo Chiu\/Sopa Images\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"d02cd942-63c3-411a-b3b3-06d2b383c3b0\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">The warehouse fire in Boyle Heights, east of downtown Los Angeles.<\/span> Photograph: Ringo Chiu\/Sopa Images\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-shrpec\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1jwoxwb\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">LA firefighters battle warehouse blaze amid concerns over billowing smoke<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-m5tuef\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>Newsom declares state of emergency as crews continue to fight stubborn Boyle Heights fire that has raged for days<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-l3z1yk\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-6d4g12\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">California\u2019s governor has declared a state of emergency for the city of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/los-angeles\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Los Angeles<\/a>, as firefighters struggle to contain a stubborn warehouse blaze that has raged for days and blanketed parts of the city in smoke.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Gavin Newsom announced he was directing state agencies to provide \u201cadditional assistance and resources\u201d to help battle the fire, located in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights in east Los Angeles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWe are coordinating closely with our local partners, deploying specialized expertise, and pre-positioning critical supplies so communities have the support they need both now and throughout recovery,\u201d Newsom <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.ca.gov\/2026\/06\/20\/governor-newsom-proclaims-state-of-emergency-in-los-angeles-for-the-boyle-heights-fire-response\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">said in<\/a> a statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The blaze broke out on Wednesday, after the roof of a 500,000-sq-ft cold storage facility in Boyle Heights caught on fire. Firefighters extinguished the flames quickly, but lingering dangers within the building have made it difficult to completely stop.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Firefighting efforts continued on Sunday as the blaze burned into a fifth day. Officials confirmed they had confined the fire to \u201cone side of the large building\u201d, <a href=\"https:\/\/lafd.org\/news\/boyle-heights-storage-facility-fire-information\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">according<\/a> to an update from the Los Angeles fire department. No evacuation or shelter-in-place mandates have been ordered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Smoke has continued to waft away from the building, following the wind into other areas of the county. Residents of East Los Angeles have expressed concerns about the persistent smoke and the potential health risks. On Sunday, a haze hung over large parts of the city and landmarks such as <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/calpostbbolch\/status\/2068733918975865239\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Dodger Stadium<\/a>, and the air quality index (AQI) in the region fell in the \u201cmoderate\u201d category.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Leo Miguel, a manager at the Yia Caffe in Boyle Heights neighborhood, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2026-06-21\/la-me-fire-air\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">told<\/a> the Los Angeles Times that smoke from the fire has disrupted his business.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Miguel described the air as smelling \u201clike chemicals and plastic\u201d, adding that conditions seem to be getting worse. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s getting better,\u201d Miguel said to the newspaper.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"810a5a54-7f45-4300-bf37-604092bc0257\" data-spacefinder-role=\"showcase\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-5h0uf4\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An aerial view as a massive warehouse fire at a cold storage facility in Los Angeles, California.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/6fb3a0761418538982b01951875be10ef4f866f6\/0_0_11102_7143\/master\/11102.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"286.3119257791389\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"810a5a54-7f45-4300-bf37-604092bc0257\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-9ktzqp\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">An aerial view as a massive warehouse fire at a cold storage facility in Los Angeles<\/span> Photograph: Mario Tama\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Newsom\u2019s statement follows an earlier state of emergency announced by the Los Angeles mayor, Karen Bass. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who represents Boyle Heights, <a href=\"https:\/\/mayor.lacity.gov\/news\/mayor-bass-issues-declaration-local-emergency-mobilize-resources-fight-warehouse-fire-boyle\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">said in a statement<\/a>: \u201cThis emergency declaration is crucial because Boyle Heights is not just responding to a fire. Residents have lived through days of smoke, shelter-in-place orders, disruptions to daily life, and ongoing questions about what this means for their health and wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">An ammonia line had ruptured during the initial firefighting efforts, making the blaze more dangerous. Ammonia, a commonly used commercial refrigerant, is highly flammable and can emit toxic fumes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Officials initially ordered local residents to shelter in place due to the air pollution and the possibility of ammonia contamination. Los Angeles city and county have opened smoke relief centers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe city and county have opened spaces for families seeking relief from the smoke, and we will continue working around the clock and doing everything possible to put this fire out completely,\u201d Bass said.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"a0ebd058-da6f-4ce4-90bd-c97a228ca180\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The warehouse fire continues to burn and spread smoke around the city on 20 June 2026 .\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/96dee14b1826a6d11b0ac7ebfd744b0286e313cf\/0_0_5681_3902\/master\/5681.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"305.6486534060905\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-3\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"a0ebd058-da6f-4ce4-90bd-c97a228ca180\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">The warehouse fire continues to burn and spread smoke around the city.<\/span> Photograph: Mario Tama\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Firefighters have been forced to retreat and try to contain the conflagration from a safer distance, while using air drops of water from helicopters to help put it out. Foam within the building has continued to slowly burn, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/business\/story\/2026-06-20\/boyle-heights-fire-state-of-emergency\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">according to the Los Angeles Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Some Boyle Heights residents with health conditions have reportedly already left the area. Ashley Campos, 18, told the LA Times that her and her family evacuated after smelling fumes in their home, which is located about two blocks from the warehouse fire. Several people in the Campos family have pre-existing health conditions, including epilepsy, asthma, and cancer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Dodger Stadium, the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is also blanketed in smog, as seen in video <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/calpostbbolch\/status\/2068733918975865239\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">posted to X<\/a>. \u201cThe smoke from the nearby Boyle Heights warehouse fire has enshrouded Dodger Stadium in an acrid, nasty haze,\u201d posted Ben Bolch, a reporter with the California Post. \u201cNot sure I\u2019d want to sit here and watch as a fan, much less play the game, unless conditions improve.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Meanwhile, community organizations <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CentroCSO\/status\/2068780734144557298?s=20\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">are handing out <\/a>masks to Boyle Heights residents as air quality continues to suffer in the area. Centro CSO, a grassroots organization in the Boyle Heights area, posted pictures of their respirator drive to X.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Once the fire is completely put out, officials will have to remove some 85m lbs of rotted food. Officials have said they are working on the biohazard challenges potentially posed from spoiled foods such as bread, poultry, pork and beef.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Newsom\u2019s statement said that the state has made more than 5m N95 respirator masks available for distribution, as well as air purifiers, bottled water and other supplies to assist with the emergency.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe warehouse fire has produced significant smoke and particulate matter that may affect air quality in surrounding neighborhoods,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Los Angeles fire department chief, Jaime Moore, said in a news conference on Saturday that they have taken care of the hazardous materials portion of the blaze and now they are working on the biohazard challenges.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWe have 85 million pounds of frozen food inside of this facility and the way the building has been laid out, it\u2019s very difficult for us to get in there because there\u2019s zero visibility inside,\u201d Moore said. \u201cOur firefighters are not able to just go in there and start moving pallets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>The Associated Press contributed reporting<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1xavc9x\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/los-angeles\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Los Angeles<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/california\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">California<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/west-coast\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">West Coast<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=LA%20firefighters%20battle%20warehouse%20blaze%20amid%20concerns%20over%20billowing%20smoke&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jun\/21\/los-angeles-warehouse-fire?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fjun%2F21%2Flos-angeles-warehouse-fire&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/jun\/21\/los-angeles-warehouse-fire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1el9k3p\"><span class=\"dcr-1vetsv0\"><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The warehouse fire in Boyle Heights, east of downtown Los Angeles. Photograph: Ringo Chiu\/Sopa Images\/Shutterstock View image in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":4490,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4488"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4488\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4490"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}