California governor declares emergency over massive Boyle Heights fire

LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency to mobilize resources in the ongoing fight against a massive cold-storage fire in Boyle Heights that has burned for almost a week.

The fire started in the facility’s freezer area Wednesday afternoon and was initially extinguished, but reignited on Thursday, according to local officials.

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Firefighters fight a warehouse fire in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The declaration empowers the state to allocate additional resources for firefighting efforts, public health services and disaster recovery as Los Angeles navigates this crisis.

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“California is mobilizing to support Los Angeles as firefighters and emergency personnel work tirelessly to contain this fire and safeguard surrounding communities,” Newsom said in a statement.

Firefighters fight a warehouse fire in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

“While local officials lead the response, the State of California stands ready to enhance public health measures, support emergency operations, and assist affected residents. We are coordinating closely with local partners, deploying specialized resources, and pre-positioning essential supplies to ensure communities receive the necessary support during this challenging time and throughout the recovery process.”

As the fire continued burning, air quality concerns have persisted for large swaths of Los Angeles, but the US Environmental Protection Agency and South Coast Air Quality Management District have not detected anything beyond normal combustible material typical after a fire, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman said.

A special Particle Pollution Advisory issued by the AQMD was extended until Tuesday.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is also expected to approve a declaration of a local emergency on Tuesday.

The vote is expected as a formality, with the declaration likely to be ratified. Supervisor and Board Chair Hilda Solis, who represents East LA cities and unincorporated areas, enacted a joint declaration alongside LA Mayor Karen Bass on Saturday. (With CNS report)

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