California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Saturday following a warehouse fire in Boyle Heights that has been burning since Wednesday. Newsom stated that California is mobilizing resources to support Los Angeles as firefighters and emergency personnel work to contain the fire and protect surrounding communities. The emergency order enables state and local agencies to utilize resources under the California Disaster Assistance Act in response to the incident at a frozen food storage facility located east of downtown Los Angeles. Agencies are preparing to deliver N95 masks, air purifiers, bottled water, and other emergency supplies to the area.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a local emergency declaration shortly before Newsom’s announcement, as smoke from the fire continued to spread. Fire Chief Jaime Moore expressed concerns about potential biohazards due to the warehouse housing frozen food products, which could lead to unpleasant odors as the food decomposes. The fire first erupted on Wednesday, prompting a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents, which was lifted and then reinstated as flare-ups occurred. Los Angeles is scheduled to host a World Cup match on Sunday, although it remains unclear if the emergency orders will impact the events at the stadium.