A large portion of Los Angeles is experiencing poor air quality as a result of the ongoing warehouse fire in Boyle Heights. The cold storage facility has been burning since Wednesday afternoon, sending smoke into surrounding communities and prompting health concerns. Air quality officials are advising residents who can see or smell smoke to stay indoors and keep all windows and doors closed to limit exposure.
In addition to smoke, officials are concerned about the massive amount of food stored inside the warehouse. An estimated 85 million pounds of meat and other perishable products are beginning to spoil, creating significant biohazard risks and complicating firefighting and cleanup efforts. Authorities say the combination of hazardous smoke and decomposing food has created a challenging public health situation.
In response, Mayor Karen Bass declared a local emergency, while Governor Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency for Los Angeles County. Officials expect these emergency declarations to help secure additional resources and support for firefighting, public health protection, and recovery efforts.
