Solis Addresses Impacts of Boyle Heights Warehouse Fire on Nearby Communities

BOYLE HEIGHTS, Calif. — Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement in response to an ongoing fire at the Lineage Logistics cold storage facility in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Although the fire is within the City of Los Angeles, its impacts are being felt in unincorporated East Los Angeles, which is under County jurisdiction, because the facility is located directly adjacent to the community.

“First, I want to thank the firefighters, emergency personnel and first responders who have been working tirelessly under difficult and dangerous conditions to contain this fire and protect nearby residents and businesses.

While emergency crews continue their work, this incident underscores a longstanding environmental justice concern.

Communities such as Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles and Southeast Los Angeles have historically shouldered a disproportionate concentration of industrial facilities and warehouse operations, along with the environmental and public health burdens that can accompany them. Residents deserve confidence that the air they breathe and the neighborhoods they call home are safe.

My staff was on the ground this afternoon in areas affected by the smoke advisory, distributing masks and providing residents with information from the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health so they can take appropriate precautions and access available resources.

Out of an abundance of caution, I have directed the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management to open a shelter at City Terrace Park for residents who would prefer an alternative location while firefighting operations continue. The shelter is expected to open in approximately two hours. Residents seeking information about the shelter, available services or transportation assistance can visit AlertLA.org.

Fire officials report that increased fire activity occurred as the marine inversion layer lifted, allowing smoke to rise higher into the atmosphere rather than remain concentrated closer to the ground. Continuous air monitoring remains underway throughout the surrounding area, and all readings have remained within safe levels.

Fire, public health and air quality officials have advised that no additional protective actions or shelter-in-place orders are necessary at this time, though emergency personnel are developing contingency plans should conditions change.

According to fire officials, ammonia and battery materials previously stored at the facility have already been removed, and the incident is currently being treated as a structure fire. AQMD is also deploying two high-grade particulate matter monitoring stations at nearby schools, which will provide additional real-time air quality data to help inform residents and guide any future public health recommendations.

As conditions improve, my office will continue working with fire officials, AQMD, public health agencies and other partners to understand the cause of this incident, assess any impacts on surrounding communities, and ensure residents and businesses receive timely information, available resources and guidance regarding any claims processes that may become available.

Our communities deserve transparency, accountability and investments that prioritize public health and environmental justice.”

For emergency notifications, Los Angeles County residents are encouraged to sign up at ready.lacounty.gov. Follow @ReadyLACounty on X for updates.