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By Amanda Greenwood
Associate News Editor
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Air quality warnings remain in place across parts of Los Angeles after a massive warehouse fire in Boyle Heights sent smoke and fine particle pollution into surrounding communities, with officials from the National Weather Service (NWS) warning of “harmful” conditions, lasting until “at least” noon on Wednesday.
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What We Know About the Fire
According to local media, the blaze broke out at a large, nearly 500,000-square foot cold‑storage warehouse in Boyle Heights over six days ago, and continues to smolder, continuing to affect air quality across the region.
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Authorities say the fire began on Wednesday June 17, and quickly escalated due to the size of the facility and the materials involved, prompting a large emergency response.
On Saturday, California Govenor, Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency for Los Angeles County to protect public health and safety and help support local response efforts. The declaration included warnings about air quality, warning that the “fire has produced significant smoke and particulate matter that may affect air quality in surrounding neighborhoods.”
I am declaring a state of emergency in Los Angeles County in response to the Boyle Heights warehouse fire.
California is deploying specialized resources, supporting local firefighters, and pre-positioning critical supplies to protect communities and accelerate recovery. pic.twitter.com/XCH75pHOCo
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 21, 2026
What Caused the Fire
While an official cause hasn’t been confirmed yet, Lineage, the company operating the warehouse said it may have started while contractors were testing the rooftop solar panels, saying in a statement that: “We believe the fire started on the roof when the owner of the solar array, Altus Power, was doing tests.”
In response to this statement, Altus Power told Newsweek, "Our first concern is for the residents of Boyle Heights, everyone affected by this fire, and for the firefighters working to contain it. The cause of the fire where our rooftop solar array is located at the Los Palos Street facility has yet to be determined. We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they investigate.
From the moment we were notified of this incident, we deployed resources into the community to provide whatever assistance we could, and we have reached out to local leaders to let them know we are here to help in any way that is useful."
Although no injuries have been reported, fire officials have characterized the incident as “very complex,” with hazardous materials and structural challenges complicating efforts to fully extinguish it.
Dangerous Pollution Levels Recorded
Air quality monitoring revealed intense but localized spikes in pollution near the fire.
A temporary sensor, positioned close to the site of the fire, recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) level reading of 621 on Monday night, exceeding the AQI’s “hazardous” threshold of 300, ABC News reported.
By Tuesday, AQI levels at the same location had dropped back to the moderate range, although monitoring by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed conditions varying from “moderate” to “unhealthy” in surrounding areas, at the time of publishing.
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Which Areas Are Affected
The NWS says that the poor air quality is most concentrated in communities near Boyle Heights, including:
- East Los Angeles
- Downtown Los Angeles
- Neighborhoods downwind of the fire
Air quality officials warn that smoke levels can vary significantly depending on time of day and weather patterns, meaning nearby areas might experience sudden changes in conditions.
Health Impacts of Smoke Exposure
Fine particle pollution from smoke is one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution, according to the EPA, as it can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, raising the risk of serious health issues.
Those most at risk include:
- People with asthma or other respiratory illnesses
- Individuals with heart disease
- Older adults
- Children
- Pregnant people
- Those spending extended time outdoors
Potential health effects:
- Breathing difficulties and irritation
- Asthma attacks and worsened respiratory symptoms
- Increased risk of heart problems, such as heart attacks
- Eye and throat irritation
- Reduced lung function
Health experts also warn that symptoms may occur even if the smoke isn’t visible or noticeable, particularly for those in sensitive groups who are most at risk.
What Residents Should Do to Stay Safe
Newsom, via his press release, and the NWS are urging residents to take the following health and safety precautions until conditions improve:
- Stay indoors, especially if smoke is visible
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Run air conditioning or air purifiers if available
- Avoid vigorous outdoor activity
- Check local AQI readings regularly
- Reduce other indoor sources of pollution, such as candles or grilling
Sensitive individuals should take extra care and limit any time spent outdoors.
The California Department of Public Health also advised those in affected areas to wear an N95 mask if they need to go outside.
A post shared by California Department of Public Health (@capublichealth)
LA Weather Today
According to the NWS weather outlook for Los Angeles, conditions are not especially favorable for clearing pollution quickly. Light winds are forecast through Wednesday, meaning smoke may linger and take longer to disperse. Morning and overnight fog could also trap polluted air closer to the ground, contributing to a build-up in pollution levels.
Conditions are expected to gradually improve later in the week, with cooler temperatures and clearer skies. Although winds remain relatively light, a steadier flow will help disperse smoke and improve air quality.
Update 06/24/26, 10:00 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include a statement from Altus Power.
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