Boyle Heights Recovery Updates
View past recordings of the Boyle Heights/EastLA Recovery Updates webinars. These periodic virtual community updates highlight available resources and provide an overview of plans for long-term recovery.
Recovery Updates Webinars
Community Resource Center:
Boyle Heights City Hall - 2130 E. 1st Street, L.A. 90033
Future dates and hours pending...
The Center serves as a centralized location where residents of Boyle Heights and nearby communities can access recovery resources and related City and County programs.
Local businesses, workers, nonprofits, or faith-based organizations negatively impacted by the June 17 Boyle Heights warehouse can find help with recovery -- including low-interest economic injury loans, employment transition, and utility bill payment extensions.
Business Recovery Resources
Read & download: Spanish/English: Community Recovery Frequently Asked Questions
NotifyLA: In a fast-moving disaster, one text, email, or call could save lives. Register for LA City emergency alerts.
Sign up now!
Lineage Inc., warehouse operator at 1400 Los Palos, was the party responsible for debris removal, cleanup & public nuisance mitigation. That company's past updates may be found at: OneLineage.com/Boyle-Heights-Fire-Response
Contact Lineage via e-mail at: boyleheights@onelineage.com.
In addition, Boyle Heights residents, business owners, and workers may wish to sign up to receive text updates regarding recovery resources and other area updates, directly from the Office of Mayor Karen Bass.
This is an ongoing recovery operation. Information collected here is general, may change without notice, and is not a guarantee. Cost and timeline figures are preliminary estimates, often from third-party sources. References to entities not part of City government are not endorsements. For health and safety decisions, follow official agency guidance. In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Read the full disclaimer
St. John’s Mobile Clinic
Weingart East LA YMCA
2900 Whittier Blvd, L.A. 90023
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
St. John’s Mobile Clinic
Proyecto Pastoral - Impacto
370 S. Clarence St, L.A. 90033
Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Recovery Health Fair
Weingart East LA YMCA
2900 Whittier Blvd, L.A. 90023
3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Download & share the flyer:
Incident & Developments
On June 17, fire ignited at the Lineage, Inc. storage facility in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles. The fire burned within a heavily insulated, 491,000-square-foot cold storage structure, requiring around-the-clock firefighting operations by the Los Angeles City Fire Department and mutual aid partners.
This resulted in a shelter-in-place order for neighboring residents and extended air-quality advisories from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) affecting central Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, East San Fernando Valley, and Northwest San Bernardino Valley.
While the shelter order has been lifted, an estimated 85 million pounds of frozen food product were stored within the facility.
On June 20, Mayor Bass issued a Declaration of Local Emergency which was followed by an Emergency Declaration from Governor Newsom. These declarations mobilized resources and allowed the Mayor to ensure the City has adequate support and capacity to respond.
LAFD officially announced the knockdown of the fire on Wednesday, June 24
Mayor Bass issued two Emergency Executive Orders to accelerate remediation and recovery, strengthen environmental protections, and ensure accountability and transparency following the Lineage warehouse fire in Boyle Heights.
Subsequently, a third Emergency Executive Order was issued on July 31 directing City departments not to process plans submitted to rebuild the Lineage warehouse until the City and the public can analyze the site and its proposed uses while weighing health, safety, and environmental impacts. Revisions to the previous Executive Order #2 dealing with removal of food waste were also issued.
The more than 80 directives in the Emergency Executive Orders established a centralized command structure to execute aggressive remediation timelines.
On August 4, District 14 City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado unveiled seven council motions related to Boyle Heights recovery and environmental justice. Among other remediations, they call for a establishing a mitigation response fund for pest and vector control, dedicated casework services, faster cleanup, legal accountability, and safeguards against a routine rebuild at the Lineage warehouse site. Read the full text of the motions.
On August 13, Councilmember Jurado issued a statement that Lineage would not be completing cleanup of the burned warehouse within the days required by Executive Orders from Mayor Bass. She also called for "meaningful consequences" under those orders. At the time, Lineage had reported that approximately 93 percent of the total food waste had been removed.
The same day, Mayor Bass called on "our City lawyers to pursue civil litigation and all legal options for cost recovery and penalties and to put a lien on the property."
On August 13, the Office of Mayor Karen Bass hosted a Community Recovery Webinar for Boyle Heights / East L.A. residents. Watch here.
On August 29, Lineage announced it had completed removal of all food waste from the incident location and would now focus on "power washing, cleaning, and disinfecting the site with the goal of eliminating odor from the community." South Coast Air Quality Management (AQMD) issued a statement the same day confirming that "Lineage has completed removal of the bulk food waste, marking the completion of a major phase of cleanup following weeks of persistent odors impacting surrounding communities."
On September 16, City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, whose 14th District include Boyle Heights, advanced a coordinated package of actions responding to the continuing effects of the Lineage warehouse fire three months ago.
In the aftermath of the fire and cleanup, California State Senator Maria Elena Durazo authored Senate Bill 716 (see a summary). If passed, the bill would allow cities and counties that include significant burdened communities to impose higher fines on non-residential buildings over 20,000 square feet, for violations that result in a threat to health or safety. Interested organizations were encouraged to submit a "request for signature" letter to the Governor's office in support.
Related legislation is being proposed by State Assemblymember Mark Gonzales (Assembly Bill 817). Among its several provisions, AB 817 would, if approved, require the type of storage facilities Lineage operates to maintain a contingency fund for such emergencies before building permits would be issued (see summary).
On September 27, in response, Governor Gavin Newsom signed both legislative bills, stating the new laws "...strengthen the tools, resources and accountability needed to protect residents and help communities respond when emergencies happen."
Youth, Seniors, Workers & Business
L.A. City's Community Investment Department (CID) offers in-person resources and other helpful services that streamline overall neighborhood recovery efforts for those affected by the warehouse fire and its remaining public nuisances:
Download and share: Spanish/English: Community Investment Services (PDF)
Download and share: Spanish/English: Assistance for Workers, Businesses (PDF)
Download and share: Spanish/English: Help with Employment Transition (PDF)
Students and Parents (LAUSD)
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Office of Environmental Health and Safety initiated environmental monitoring -- coordinated with regulatory agencies and technical experts -- and set up precautionary protective measures at affected school sites. Find details and updates at LAUSD School Safety. The district's Region East, which incorporates Boyle Heights community schools, also scheduled several informational webinars to help explain how impacted schools were preparing to open safely.
Bus Service Enhancements
Los Angeles City's Department of Transportation (LADOT) made temporary service improvements to better serve the residents of Boyle Heights and nearby areas:
Free DASH Boyle Heights Service:
- Fares are waived on the DASH Boyle Heights route until further notice.
- Two additional buses were added to the route.
- Buses operate daily every 10–15 minutes.
Free Cityride Dial-a-Ride Service
LADOT also temporarily waived fares for Cityride Dial-a-Ride service for seniors and people with disabilities.
Hours: Daily, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To request same-day service, call: (213) 808-7433; (323) 808-7433; (818) 808-7433
Water & Power
Eligible customers in the area most affected by the warehouse fire eceived a one-time credit to their utility bills through the City's Department of Water & Power (LADWP). In addition, LADWP offers several payment-extension options through regular customer service programs.
Download and share: English/Spanish: LADWP Bill Credit for Eligible Addresses (PDF)
Download and share: Spanish/English: LADWP Payment Assistance Options (PDF)
Housing
The City of Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) compiled resources available for eligible residents and offers protections for City renters:
Download and share: English/Spanish: Fire Recovery & Housing Resources (PDF)
LA County Resources
The County of Los Angeles offers links to additional recovery resources for county residents impacted by the warehouse fire. Call 211 (or 626-406-2786); alternatively submit a request using the online form.
Free Mobile Health Clinics
Mayor Bass announced extended service schedules for multiple mobile health clinics near Boyle Heights, in partnership with community health providers. 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
Download and share: Spanish/English: Mobile Health Clinic Schedule (PDF)
Area Community Health Centers
Need healthcare service on non-mobile clinic days? Many of the same mobile-clinic providers and other organizations offer low-cost services locally at their health centers. See the attached flyer for a map and more details.
Download and share: Spanish/English: Boyle Heights Area Community Health Centers(PDF)
Mental Health & Well-Being Resources
Residents and workers affected by the warehouse fire and cleanup may also need assistance with emotional support and healing. Local organizations are offering regular workshops open to all family members, to promote household and community resilience. See the attached flyers for details.
Download and share: Spanish/English: YMCA Community Resilience Workshops (PDF)
Download and share: Proyecto Pastoral: Talleres de Bienestar Emocional (PDF)
Fire Management & Investigation
LAFD Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) members remained engaged during the remediation process to ensure regulatory compliance during the removal and disposal of any hazardous waste, such as lithium-ion batteries.
On September 22, LAFD announced completion of its Arson Counter-Terrorism Section investigation into the cause of the June 17 fire. Investigators "confirmed the area of origin of the fire to be on the roof, at or adjacent to a section of solar panels..." and determined that "an electrical event occurred within the area of origin. However, since the specific cause of that electrical event could not be conclusively established, the incident remains classified as having an undetermined cause."
Read/download the full press release: LAFD Completes Investigation into Lineage Fire (PDF)
Safe Ash Cleanup
Ash particles are larger than smoke particles, and can cause health issues especially for those with heart or lung diseases. Following the warehouse fire, public authorities provided several suggestions for safe cleanup.
Guidance from LA County Public Health: Spanish/English:Safely Clean Ash (PDF)
Pet Safety after Fires
After a fire, smoke and ash debris can pose health risks to family pets, as well. Ash and potentially harmful chemicals can be inhaled, ingested, or cause damage to skin. Help protect your pets' health and safety during recovery.
Guidance from LA County Public Health: Spanish/English: Pet Safety Fact Sheet (PDF)
Removal of Food Debris
On June 28, Lineage and its contractors began removing food waste stored at the warehouse to several solid waste facilities. As of August 29, the company reported that 100 percent of food material had been removed from the site.
During the removal process, a modified haul route was established by Lineage, the warehouse operator for the purpose of limiting the impact that a steady stream of trucks would have on surrounding neighborhoods. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) managed traffic during the removal operations.
Odor Mitigation
Agency partners worked with the facility to assist with identifying odor mitigation measures to minimize impacts to Boyle Heights and the surrounding communities. Impacted residents may still report odors, smoke, and other air quality issues to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (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
- (PDF, español)
- Environmental Odors: What You Should Know
- (PDF, English)
Public Health Survey Results
Los Angeles County Public Health visited and surveyed residents of hundreds of households in the immediate area of the burned warehouse to assess community needs, understand health concerns, and connect residents with available resources and services. The results have now been compiled and released.
Read and share LA County Public Health's findings: Boyle Heights Community Survey Results
Pest Control
Lineage contracted with Orkin to manage pests by setting bait stations. Orkin also applied Actizyme, an organic-based material mixed with Nibor-D, as both a liquid and foam in and around the building to target flies, gnats and mosquitoes.
Outside of the warehouse, Cats USA, a pest control contractor for the City of Los Angeles, conducted a pest assessment and placed bait stations around the perimeter of the warehouse as well as on adjacent residential streets. r and in the immediate neighborhood. Cats USA conducted daily inspections of the bait stations, serviced them as needed, and monitored pest activity around the site.
Guidance from LA County Public Health:
Air Quality Monitoring
South Coast AQMD conducted continuous air monitoring in real-time at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School and Eastman Avenue Elementary School. All data was fed into South Coast AQMD’s air quality map at www.AQMD.gov or by downloading the free South Coast AQMD mobile app.
Lineage contracted with Onterris to conduct real-time air monitoring surrounding the site – in coordination with and oversight by AQMD – 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)
View results here.
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)
- (PDF, English)
Runoff Water Testing
The City’s Bureau of Sanitation (LASAN) monitored any water flow from the building resulting from post-firefighting activities. The LASAN Watershed Protection Division tested samples of water that were previously entering the storm drain system near Noakes Street and Indiana Street.
If any water left the property it would have entered a City of Los Angeles catch basin that leads into an LA County storm-drain system. The County storm drain travels directly to the Los Angeles River and outfalls near Downey Road and Bandini Boulevard. The LASAN Environmental Monitoring Division checked for the presence of the following: Antimony, Arsenic, Bacteria, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, Thallium, Vanadium, and Zinc.
LASAN used containment tanks, eco dams, catch basin protectors, and vector trucks to capture, contain, and pump all water runoff from the streets adjacent to the facility to the sewer system for treatment.
Support from Community Based Organizations
Mayor Bass and the City worked in coordination with multiple organizations to support the community. With the help of local partners, the City distributed thousands of air purifiers and masks to impacted residents.
In partnership with the California Community Foundation, more than $1.5 million was raised and granted to about 20 community partners to support immediate relief for impacted residents and businesses. With these funds, the following community organizations provided medical assistance, food assistance, health resources, direct cash assistance, and more:
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.
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.
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.