Boyle Heights Warehouse Fire — Lineage Cold Storage Blaze and Days of Smoke

A fire that ignited on the rooftop solar panels of a 500,000-square-foot cold storage warehouse in Boyle Heights has produced days of smoke across central Los Angeles and triggered local and state emergency declarations. The facility — operated by Lineage Logistics at 1400 S. Los Palos Street — holds roughly 85 million pounds of frozen food, an unusually large biohazard concern that has shaped the response alongside an initial ammonia leak.

Details here are summarized from public reporting in June 2026 and were still developing at the time of writing. For the current status, follow the City of Los Angeles, LAFD, and the South Coast AQMD — official guidance takes precedence.

Where things stand now

• The Los Angeles Fire Department reports a full knockdown is in sight, with crews removing walls to reach remaining hot spots. The fire has been confined to about half of the 500,000-square-foot building.
• The initial ammonia leak has been mitigated — Lineage pumped ammonia from the facility's tanks and transported it offsite; LAFD and AQMD report no measurable ammonia concentrations in the surrounding community.
• A South Coast AQMD particle-pollution advisory remains in effect; PM2.5 reached unhealthy levels in central LA County, the San Gabriel Valley, the East San Fernando Valley, and the Northwest San Bernardino Valley after Friday night's reignition. Smoke is expected for up to two to three more days.
• No injuries to firefighters or civilians have been reported.
• The Mayor of Los Angeles and Governor Newsom have issued local and state emergency declarations. The state has deployed 5.5 million N95 respirator masks, commercial-grade air purifiers, and water cannons from Texas.

What happened, step by step

1. Wednesday, June 17, ~2:30 p.m. — Fire ignites on the warehouse's rooftop solar panels and spreads. LAFD responds.
2. Initial ammonia leak. Hazardous materials inside the facility force a defensive firefighting posture and an hours-long shelter-in-place for surrounding blocks.
3. Friday-night reignition. Conditions worsen; AQMD records unhealthy PM2.5 readings beyond Boyle Heights.
4. Saturday emergency declarations. Local and state declarations expand resources for response and recovery.
5. Ammonia removed offsite. Lineage pumps tanks; community air monitoring shows no measurable ammonia.
6. Schools relocated; knockdown in sight. LAUSD relocates students from four nearby campuses on Monday; LAFD reports a path to full knockdown.

Why the smoke is the lingering concern

Even after the chemical hazard is contained, smoke from a fire of this scale and content carries fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can affect people at a distance. 85 million pounds of frozen food spoiling inside an enclosed building also concentrates a biohazard concern that complicates demolition and remediation. For air-quality basics, see our smoke exposure overview.

Is the danger over?

The acute chemical threat appears contained. Smoke is the active issue, and the South Coast AQMD's particle-pollution advisory remains the practical guide for whether to limit outdoor activity. Follow AirNow and the AQMD; this account reflects what was public in June 2026, not a final determination.

If you're nearby: what to do

• Check your address. Confirm advisories for your area on AirNow and via the City of LA, or check your area.
• Mind the air. While the AQMD advisory is in effect, limit outdoor activity, keep windows and doors closed, and run AC on recirculate where possible. See is the air safe to breathe.
• If you're displaced or your business was affected, two fire-relief centers are open: Pecan Recreation Center (145 S. Pecan St.) and City Terrace Park (1126 N. Hazard Ave.). N95 masks and air-filtration support are available at Council District 14's Boyle Heights office. 211 LA can connect residents with additional assistance.
• Document anything. If you had to leave, missed work, lost income, or experienced symptoms, start a record while details are fresh.

Use the alert form on this page to get email and optional text updates as the situation and official guidance change.