Boyle Heights Recovery Updates
Community Resource Center
This center serves as a centralized location where residents and businesses of Boyle Heights and nearby communities can obtain air purifiers, food kits, financial assistance, help transitioning to a new job, health services, and access to various recovery resources and City and County programs.
Lou Costello Jr. Recreation Center
3141 E. Olympic Boulevard, L.A. 90023
Hours: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM daily*
*Hours on July 4 are 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
[One air purifier per household while supplies last. Thank you for helping ensure every household has the opportunity to receive one. Proof of address will be requested at pickup to assist in keeping track of distribution].
The City shelter at Pecan Recreation Center (145 S. Pecan Street, LA 90033) has returned to regular operations. Residents are welcome to use the center during the day for refuge and to connect with available resources. Pets are welcome. For full assistance, residents are encouraged to go to the Community Resource Center listed above.
New Mobile Health Clinics
Community mobile health clinics have been launched near Boyle Heights in partnership with St. John’s Community Health, Altamed and Clinica Romero. No appointments are necessary. Health services available include:
- Respiratory health screenings
- Oxygen level checks
- Asthma and breathing assessments
- Blood pressure and basic health screenings
- Eye and skin irritation evaluations
- Health education on smoke exposure
- Mental health support
- Care navigation and referrals
- Connection to ongoing primary care
Community Mobile Health Clinic Schedule this Week:
- Additional clinics by Clinica Romero will start Wednesday, July 1.
Fire Management
LAFD is currently executing its Incident Action Plan (IAP). The IAP includes LAFD fire crews maintaining “firewatch” 24 hours a day on rotating deployment periods. These crews will engage in fire suppression if significant flare-ups occur.
The property owner has contracted with a private fire company that is continuing to flow water utilizing a water cannon to ensure the smoldering areas in the center of the building don’t flare up significantly. They will remain on site throughout the duration of the remediation process to handle smoldering areas, as needed.
The LAFD Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) will remain engaged during the remediation process to oversee any hazardous waste removal, such as lithium ion batteries.
Guidance from LA County Public Health:
- Cómo limpiar el humo y el hollín de un incendio: Información para personas que viven en el Condado de Los Ángeles (PDF, español)
- How to Clean Up Smoke and Soot from a Fire: Information for Los Angeles County Residents (PDF, English)
Removal of 85 Million Pounds of Food Debris
All food debris will be transported to landfills outside of Los Angeles in Ventura and Riverside Counties.
A modified haul route is being established by Lineage that will be reviewed and finalized by LADOT to limit the impact of a steady stream of trucks on the surrounding neighborhoods. LADOT will also conduct traffic management during the removal operations and pre- and post-hauling road condition surveys. Prior to finalizing hauling routes, the public will be given the opportunity to review and comment.
Odor Mitigation
Agency partners are working with the facility to assist with identifying odor mitigation measures to minimize impacts to Boyle Heights and the surrounding communities. Impacted residents can report odors, smoke, and other air quality issues to South Coast AQMD by calling 1-800-CUT-SMOG (1-800-288-7664), via AQMD's online complaint portal, or through their mobile app. AQMD responds to all air quality complaints received from the public.
Guidance from LA County Public Health:
- Olores ambientales: Lo que debe saber, información para personas que viven en el Condado de Los Ángeles (PDF, español)
- Environmental Odors: What You Should Know, Information for Los Angeles County Residents(PDF, English)
Pest Control
Lineage has contracted with Orkin and Signal Restoration Services to manage any pests that might enter the warehouse. Lineage is developing a plan to continue to manage pest issues in and around the warehouse.
Outside of the warehouse, Cats USA, a pest control contractor for the City of Los Angeles, has conducted a pest assessment at the direction of Mayor Bass, and bait stations have been placed around the perimeter of the warehouse and on adjacent residential streets. In total, 250 bait stations are being installed in the public right-of-way around the warehouse perimeter and in the immediate neighborhood.
Air Quality Monitoring
Currently, South Coast AQMD is conducting continuous air monitoring for particulate matter 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (PM 2.5) in real-time at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School and Eastman Avenue Elementary School. All data is being fed into South Coast AQMD’s air quality map that can be found at www.AQMD.gov or by downloading the free South Coast AQMD mobile app. To view South Coast AQMD's webpage for this incident, click here. Lineage contracted with Onterris to conduct real-time air monitoring surrounding the site, in coordination and with oversight by SCAQMD, for the following:
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Atmospheric flammability measured as a percentage of the lower explosive limit (%LEL)
- Ammonia (NH3)
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
- Atmospheric oxygen percentage (O2)
- Fine particulate matter measuring less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5)
- Coarse particulate matter measuring less than 10 micrometers (PM10)
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
- Total volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
In addition, Onterris is conducting air monitoring at stationary sites for VOCs at eight sites and for metals at three sites. The stationary locations (for VOCs and metals) include Humphreys Avenue Elementary School; Ford Boulevard Elementary School; Maywood Elementary School; 4355 Downey Road; Christopher Dena Elementary School; Lorena Street Elementary School; Eastman Avenue Elementary School; and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School. Onterris is submitting results daily to agencies such as South Coast AQMD and LA County Department of Public Health and the City.
Lineage is developing a Community Air Monitoring plan that will be submitted to South Coast AQMDand LA County Department of Public Health for review and approval.
Guidance from LA County Public Health:
- Guía sobre la Calidad del Aire y la Salud: Qué Hacer(PDF, español)
- Air Quality and Health Guidance: What to Do (PDF, English)
- Qué hacer cuando hay humo en el aire(PDF, español)
- What to do when there's Smoke in the Air (PDF, English)
Drinking Water Testing
LADWP continues to vigorously test and monitor water quality multiple times a day in the area to ensure the safety of the water for residents. Current testing shows that tap water is safe for the Boyle Heights community.
Stormwater and Groundwater Testing
The City’s Department of Sanitation (LASAN) is monitoring the water flow coming from the building during the fire fighting activities. The LASAN Watershed Protection Division is currently testing samples of water that were entering the storm drain system near Noakes Street and Indiana Street.
All water leaving the property enters a City of Los Angeles catch basin that leads into an LA County storm drain system. The LA County storm drain travels directly to the Los Angeles River and outfalls near Downey Road and Bandini Boulevard. The LASAN Environmental Monitoring Division is conducting analysis for the presence of the following: Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, Thallium, Vanadium, Zinc.
LASAN has utilized containment tanks, eco dams, catch basin protectors, and vector trucks to capture, contain, and pump runoff to the sewer system for treatment. LASAN will continue to monitor and enforce compliance to prevent illicit discharges from the site and ensure that all water is properly removed and treated.
Street Closures
South Indiana Street between Union Pacific Ave. and Noakes St. remains closed to accommodate trucks and heavy equipment.
LADOT is making temporary service adjustments to serve Boyle Heights residents, offering additional free buses in the area. Two additional buses have been added to the Boyle Heights DASH route, operating daily with free service every 10-15 minutes until further notice.
Resident Support through Community Based Organizations
Mayor Bass and the City are working in coordination with multiple organizations to support the community. With the help of local partners, the City has distributed thousands of air purifiers and masks to impacted residents, with thousands more scheduled for delivery and distribution.
In partnership with the California Community Foundation, more than $1.5 million has been raised and granted to more than 20 community partners to support immediate relief for impacted residents and businesses. With these funds, the following community organizations are providing services including but not limited to medical assistance, food assistance, health resources and direct cash assistance:
Employment Services
Available through the City's WorkSource Centers:
- In-person and Virtual Rapid Response Services for displaced workers;
- Unemployment Insurance assistance in partnership with the California Employment Development Department;
- Job search assistance and employment referrals for individuals regardless of immigration or work authorization status through Universal Access services;
- Comprehensive case management for eligible participants;
- Supportive services to remove barriers to employment;
- Access to short-term vocational training and on-the-job training opportunities; and
- Job placement assistance with employers throughout Los Angeles.
Emergency Assistance for Displaced Workers
In coordination with the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), CID will leverage up to $2 million in California Dislocated Worker Additional Assistance funding to provide workforce development career services and supportive services to impacted individuals, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Reemployment services;
- Workforce training;
- Transitional employment;
- Assistance with equipment/tools;
- Assistance with child/dependent care;
- Assistance with work attire;
- Assistance with transportation; and
- Needs related payments.
Youth Employment Services
Through the City’s Boyle Heights YouthSource Center young adults ages 16–30 may access temporary paid employment opportunities through Hire LA's Youth, including:
- 120–180 hours of paid work experience;
- Career exploration;
- Employment readiness workshops; and
- Connections to longer-term education and career pathways.
Family Services through FamilySource Centers
The City’s FamilySource Centers, El Centro De Ayuda in Boyle Heights, will serve as a critical access point for families affected by the fire by providing comprehensive stabilization services, including:
- Emergency financial assistance for eligible households;
- Food distribution, food pantry, and grocery gift cards;
- Enrollment and referrals for public benefits;
- Case management and family stabilization services;
- Rental and utility assistance for eligible households;
- Housing navigation and homelessness prevention services;
- Referrals for mental health and wellness resources;
- Air purifiers;
- Digital access and resource navigation; and
- Connections to additional City, County, nonprofit, and philanthropic recovery resources.
Small Business Recovery Services
Through the City's established BusinessSource Center, NEW Economics for Women, impacted businesses will have access to recovery resources designed to help stabilize operations and retain jobs, including:
- Small business recovery grants of up to $1,000 for eligible businesses directly impacted by the fire;
- Industrial air purifiers for severely impacted businesses;
- One-on-one business advising;
- Assistance applying for disaster relief programs;
- Access to capital and microloan opportunities;
- Business continuity and recovery planning;
- Commercial lease and financial counseling;
- Marketing and customer recovery strategies;
- Technical assistance with permitting and regulatory requirements; and
- Referrals to additional local, state, and federal business assistance programs.
Older Adult and Senior Services
CID, alongside its local partner, the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF), will ensure that older adults affected by the fire receive essential support through its Senior Center located at Lou Costello Jr Recreation Center and the surrounding areas.
Available services include:
- Daily congregate lunch program for seniors;
- Nutrition education and wellness activities;
- Case management and benefits enrollment assistance;
- Health and wellness programming;
- Social and recreational activities to reduce isolation;
- Information and referrals to supportive services;
- Transportation resource referrals; and
- Connections to caregiver support and additional aging services.
This is an active emergency. Information here is general, may change without notice, and is not a guarantee. Cost and timeline figures are preliminary estimates. References to companies or contractors are not endorsements. For health and safety decisions, follow official agency guidance. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. Read the full disclaimer