As of June 21, 2026, firefighters are making headway against a fire that ignited at a cold-storage warehouse in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. The fire, which started on Wednesday, has persisted into its fifth day, sending billows of smoke across the region.
Authorities have issued air-quality warnings as the smoke continues to affect central Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, air quality levels reached ‘very unhealthy’ conditions in some areas over the weekend. The warning is extended until midday Monday, with a possibility of smoke spreading to Riverside and Orange Counties.
Events scheduled for Sunday, such as the World Cup match between Belgium and Iran at SoFi Stadium and the Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Baltimore Orioles, proceeded despite the smoke concerns.
The fire department reported difficulty in extinguishing the fire due to the warehouse’s thick, insulated walls, similar to a freezer. The structure also houses ammonia refrigerant and millions of gallons of frozen food, complicating firefighting efforts.