Boyle Heights Response & Recovery

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Response & Recovery Overview

Since a fire broke out on the roof of our Los Palos Street facility on June 17, our team has been focused on doing everything we can to contain the fire, support the community and help with cleanup and recovery efforts. This page provides updates on Lineage’s response, cleanup progress, air monitoring information, community resources, FAQs, and latest updates.

Read letter to the community from Lineage's President & CEO

For additional information about available resources and response efforts, please visit the city’s emergency management department page or the LA County Recovers page. City of Los Angeles residents can also contact 311 for assistance. 211 LA can help with County resources, including public health information and access to available emergency housing through Airbnb for all impacted residents. Lineage also donated $2 million to the California Community Foundation which was distributed to more than 20 organizations providing additional support; view the list here.

To report air quality issues such as odors, dust, or smoke from this facility, call the South Coast Air Quality Management District at 1-800-CUT-SMOG.

To contact Lineage directly, please email boyleheights@onelineage.com or use our community contact form.

Top Questions

  • Lineage has made transparency and open communication a priority throughout the response and recovery effort.

    Within 48 hours we established a public information hub dedicated to the Boyle Heights Response & Recovery. This page is updated frequently so residents can access the latest information on recovery efforts, cleanup progress, air monitoring information, community support resources, and answers to frequently asked questions. We have distributed flyers in the community and run both digital ads and bilingual radio ads to help residents find this page and information.

    In addition, we have issued regular public updates (many of which have been shared by media outlets) and added direct channels (BoyleHeights@onelineage.com, a bilingual phone line, and online request form) for community members to ask questions and share concerns.  

    More photos, videos and cleanup updates are also posted on our dedicated Instagram account – @lineagelospalos – for community members who prefer to get their news from social media.

    While the situation remains fluid, we are committed to providing timely, accurate, and fact-based information to residents and community leaders.

  • Lineage has made transparency and open communication a priority throughout the response and recovery effort. We have maintained ongoing, consistent communication with local, county, state, and federal agencies, as well as elected officials, throughout the entire fire response, cleanup, and recovery process.

    This includes:

    • Publishing daily reports and regularly sharing information regarding site conditions, cleanup activities, air monitoring results, and recovery plans, while also responding to agency and stakeholder questions as part of an ongoing meeting schedule with the Boyle Heights Unified Recovery Command, which includes representatives from many offices and agencies. Those offices and agencies include:
      • The Mayor's Office, Los Angeles City Council offices (including CD-14), the Emergency Management Department, Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Water and Power, Board of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, City Administrative Office, and City Attorney's Office. County participants have included the Office of Emergency Management, Department of Public Health, Department of Public Works, County Fire Department, Board of Supervisors staff, County Counsel, and other county agencies. State and regional partners have included Cal OES, CalEPA, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, among others.
    • Participating in briefings, meetings, and site visits to provide updates and ensure officials have current information about response and recovery efforts. This includes:
      • A weekly meeting with representatives from CD-14, the Mayor’s Office, County Supervisor’s Office, and more than 20 Boyle Heights community organizations including Proyecto Pastoral, Dolores Mission, Inclusive Action, and Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) focused on Lineage’s door-to-door canvassing and community impact efforts.
      • A weekly meeting with representatives from CD-14, the Mayor’s Office, County Supervisor’s Office, LA Emergency Management Department (EMD), LA County Emergency Management (OEM), State Senator’s Office, LAUSD, LAFD and the Department of Public Health to discuss community impact efforts and overall cleanup progress.
    • No agency officials who have requested a site tour or arrived unannounced have been turned away from inspecting the facility firsthand. We believe it is important that officials and regulators understand the complexity and challenges of this situation so we can work cooperatively on the fastest cleanup possible without sacrificing health, safety and regulatory compliance. 


    Our teams are working around the clock on cleanup and recovery and communicating the challenges we face to meet the 45-day deadline set in the Mayor’s executive order. To date, no city, county or state officials have offered resources that would expedite cleanup efforts.

  • Yes. Independent monitoring from Onterris as well as the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is running around the clock at multiple locations in and around Boyle Heights. Readings have consistently shown results within normal levels for the neighborhood and no harmful health impacts. Further, although there may be unpleasant and annoying odors associated with the decaying food products, the bad smell is not associated with any health risk. Air monitoring data is accessible on this page and on aqmd.gov. We want you to have the facts, not just our word.

  • Soon after the fire started, we pumped all the ammonia from our cooling systems and safely transported it off-site. No measurable ammonia has been detected in the community at any time since the fire started. We know some neighbors have also asked about methane and hydrogen sulfide — these chemicals are included in our air monitoring. To date, monitoring has not detected levels of these chemicals or particles that pose a health risk. Lastly, while odors that come from decomposing food are unpleasant, we want to confirm that allergens associated with any of these foods are not airborne or distributed as a result of organic decomposition — meaning those with allergies to certain foods are not at greater risk during this period.

  • We have not seen any flareups within the debris since the July 4 weekend. That allowed us to begin deconstruction at the site on July 7. 

    Lineage worked closely with the Los Angeles Fire Department and other agencies to support their efforts to fight the fire and protect the community. To augment their brave and tireless efforts, we leveraged our network to source high-powered water cannons from Texas, funded helicopters to continue water drops, and partnered with other industrial companies to secure additional equipment to speed up fire suppression efforts. 

  • We understand the frustration and share the community’s desire to see the cleanup completed as quickly as possible. From the beginning, our focus has been on moving as fast as we can while making sure the work is done safely and done the right way.


    Cleanup crews are working around the clock to remove food waste, clear debris and dismantle damaged sections of the structure. However, this is a highly complex operation. The warehouse contained approximately 88 million pounds of food, and the fire damaged parts of the structure, making it much more difficult to safely access and remove food debris from much of the building.


    To support the cleanup, we have brought in specialized contractors and equipment from across the country. Much of this equipment was not originally designed for conditions like these, so teams have had to continually adapt their approach as site conditions change.
    Throughout the process, we have been evaluating new strategies, adjusting operations when needed and looking for ways to improve efficiency while reducing impacts on the surrounding community.


    The work is also being carried out under strict safety and environmental requirements and in coordination with local, county, state, and federal agencies. While we are doing everything we can to move quickly, not every aspect of the cleanup is solely within our control. Some activities require agency coordination, approvals, or direction, which can impact the pace of progress. We have also worked to address questions, concerns, and requests from public officials, community groups, and residents throughout the process.


    Senior company leaders are actively involved every day, helping identify and remove barriers that could slow progress. As many of the initial obstacles have been addressed, food removal and overall cleanup efforts are continuing to gain momentum.


    We know everyone wants this site cleaned up as soon as possible. So do we. The Lineage team remains committed to moving the work forward as safely, responsibly and as quickly we can.

  • Reducing odors is a key priority during the cleanup effort. Lineage has already put several odor-control measures in place and is continuing to work with South Coast AQMD to identify additional solutions to reduce odors where possible.


    Current efforts include:
    •    Fixed odor-control spray systems are installed around the building to deodorize the air and odorous material around the site, as well as a tracked robotic spray system.
    •    Odor neutralizer is being applied to waste materials multiple times each day.
    •    Portions of the building are wrapped to help keep odors contained 
    •    Air scrubbers that pull air through carbon filters to help absorb odors are installed on parts of the facility, with more on the way.
    •    Daily cleaning of runoff collection areas, loading zones and drains.
    •    The roll-off bins into which food waste is loaded are sealed immediately once full. These sealed bins then leave as soon as possible. Bins may be staged on site depending on truck route availability; however, they are removed as soon as there is a truck able to do so.
    •    Once trucks are loaded, they promptly leave the facility in accord with approved truck routes. 
     

    Lineage is also continuously monitoring air quality and sharing air-monitoring data with both local regulators and the public. 
     

    We are working as fast as we safely can to get food debris out of the building, and we understand the importance of reducing odors and minimizing impacts on the surrounding community while this essential cleanup work continues at pace. Second only to safety, removing product has been and continues to be our top priority.
     

  • Lineage has expanded its pest-control efforts with support from Orkin to help reduce fly and rodent activity around the site and minimize impacts on nearby residents and businesses.


    Some of the steps currently in place include:
    •    Daily fly-control treatments, with additional service added if needed.
    •    Daily inspections of the property perimeter for signs of rodent activity.
    •    Rodent-control devices installed around the site in strategic locations.
    •    Up to 248 exterior fly-control devices installed, including bait stations and fly traps, to help reduce fly populations.
    •    Targeted fly treatments around dumpsters, loading areas, drainage areas, fence lines, and other locations where flies are most active.
    •    Ongoing monitoring to track pest activity and adjust control measures as needed.
    •    Sanitation and cleanup efforts to remove materials and conditions that can attract pests or create breeding areas.
     

    In response to feedback from families in nearby homes, Lineage has also distributed approximately 350 fly traps to community members and will be providing a further 800 additional traps through its ongoing neighborhood outreach efforts over the next week.
     

    As we move forward, we will continue monitoring conditions, listening to our neighbors’ concerns and adjusting our pest-control efforts as cleanup work progresses.
     

  • We want to be clear that we do not believe this fire was caused by our operations or our team. We believe the fire started on the roof when a contractor of the owner of the solar array, Altus Power, was testing the array. Regardless of how the fire started, Lineage has been on the front lines since day one, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to execute a safe and swift remediation effort.

Cleanup Progress

Estimated food material removal completion

Current Status as of August 10, 2026

0%

This tracker is for community informational purposes only.

Warehouse before the fire

Warehouse Pre-Fire

Post-fire cleanup progress on July 5

Post-Fire July 5

Deconstruction begins on July 7

Deconstruction Begins - July 7

Cleanup progress on July 13

July 13

Cleanup progress on July 18

July 18

Cleanup progress on July 24

July 24

Cleanup progress on July 25

July 25

Cleanup progress on July 29

July 29

Cleanup progress on July 31

July 31

Cleanup progress on August 3

August 3

Cleanup progress on August 3, point of view 1

August 3 - PoV 1

Cleanup progress on August 3, point of view 2

August 3 - PoV 2

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Cleanup Truck Routes

Lineage is sharing the truck haul routes being used as part of the Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup. Click to see information about how the routes were developed, disposal and recycling facilities, and detailed route maps for each destination.

View Cleanup Truck Route Information

Latest Statements from Lineage

  • Cleanup Progress On Track At 90%

    Cleanup began July 7, following turnover of site from LAFD

    Lineage will spend at least $80 million to $100 million on cleanup

    LOS ANGELES – August 10, 2026 – Since commencing cleanup on July 7, Lineage has removed approximately 90% percent of food waste from the Los Palos warehouse and continues to execute the fastest and safest possible cleanup. This is the result of more than five weeks of around-the-clock work by hundreds of contractors, cleanup crews and environmental experts working with Lineage team members to deploy equipment, expertise and resources at an unprecedented scale for a cleanup of this magnitude.

    “The progress made in 35 days of cleanup is nothing short of extraordinary. A cleanup of this complexity and scale, at this speed, has never been executed before – with nearly 88 million pounds of food waste and debris needing to be safely extracted from a fire-damaged building structure and transported to multiple offsite locations – in multiple different states – for disposal. Lineage, its partners, and its contractors have provided every truck, deployed each of the hundreds of workers on site, and spearheaded the entire food removal and cleanup effort. At ninety percent, we are in the final stretch, and we will continue to tirelessly work until the job is done,” said Jeff Rivera, Lineage’s Chief Operating Officer.

    Rivera added: “Lineage expects to spend at least $80 to $100 million on the cleanup, a commitment that reflects both our responsibility to the Boyle Heights community and our determination to finish the job right.” 

    We are acutely aware that LAUSD schools in the area are scheduled to reopen this week and that residents have endured the effects of this fire for weeks. That is precisely why we have not slowed down. Every operational decision we are making —the hours crews work, the equipment deployed, and the traffic and odor and pest mitigation measures in place, are designed to complete the cleanup as quickly and as safely as possible.

    Please visit our dedicated landing page to sign up for daily updates from Lineage, understand our odor and pest mitigation efforts, and learn about our community outreach efforts. 

  • Lineage Update Following AQMD Hearing Board Meeting

    Today's order ratified an agreement in place ahead of the hearing, with some additional conditions as a result of public comment, between AQMD and Lineage. We are united in wanting to clear food waste as soon and safely as possible, mitigate odors in every way, and continue providing resources the impacted communities need. Much of what the AQMD order requires is already part of Lineage’s Odor Mitigation Plan, and we have been cooperatively working with AQMD to add to our efforts. We appreciate their continued collaboration and partnership as we progress with the cleanup.

    Lineage’s presentation to AQMD is here.

    Measures in Lineage’s existing Odor Mitigation Plan include:

    • Fixed odor-control spray systems to deodorize the air and odorous material are deployed around the site, as well as a tracked robotic spray system
    • Odor neutralizer is applied to waste materials multiple times each day
    • Portions of the building are wrapped to help keep odors contained
    • Nine industrial air scrubbers that pull air through carbon filters are activated to help absorb odors
    • Water is collected and pumped into an onsite wastewater tank that is covered and connected to vapor recovery
    • Daily cleaning of runoff collection areas, loading zones and drains, takes place
    • The roll-off bins into which food waste is loaded are sealed immediately once full; these sealed bins then leave as soon as possible
    • Once trucks are loaded, they promptly leave the facility in accord with approved truck routes, which will be available on our landing page starting Friday, August 7th.
    • Continuous monitoring of air quality and sharing air monitoring data with both local regulators and the public occurs; air monitoring information and an interactive map is available here.

    Since commencing cleanup on July 7, Lineage has removed approximately 85% of food and our goal is to complete bulk food waste removal from the site next week. Lineage expects to spend between $80 million and $100 million on cleanup efforts. 

    Every day, hundreds of workers, contractors and experts are on-site working around the clock to accelerate the cleanup, reduce odors, protect public health, and provide direct assistance to impacted residents. To date, Lineage has provided more than $3.3 million in aid, which includes the distribution of:

    • 207 cash-assistance cards totaling $207,000, which have been distributed via door-to-door outreach; residents who were not home when contacted were left a flyer with how to access their cash card at a time more convenient for them
    • 1,223 grocery vouchers totaling $122,300
    • 599 air purifiers
    • 651 portable air-conditioning units
    • 562 N95 masks
    • 638 cases of bottled water
    • ~350 fly traps

    Lineage has conducted door-to-door outreach to the nearly 800 households closest to the warehouse — those identified by the City and County as being most directly impacted. To date, the outreach team has contacted approximately 87 percent of these households and continues to return to homes that have not yet been reached.

    Eligible households are also offered temporary relocation assistance, utility bill assistance, pest-control supplies, and information about additional community resources in both English and Spanish. 

    These direct neighborhood efforts build on the broader support Lineage has provided since the earliest days of the fire. Lineage contributed $2 million to the California Community Foundation, with funds distributed to more than 20 organizations (see the list) for air purifiers and PPE, food and household supplies, medical and mental health services, housing assistance, cash assistance, small business support, and community outreach. 

    To support additional requests for temporary housing, Lineage donated $100,000 to United Way 211. In addition, Lineage has provided resources across the broader Boyle Heights community since the outset of the fire, including 655 air purifiers, 7,051 cases of bottled water, 2,533 prepared meals, 3,260 N95 masks, and 7,000 meal cases distributed through the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. 

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    Community Communications

    Lineage has consistently and transparently reported on its progress through the Boyle Heights Unified Recovery Command led by the City of Los Angeles (which includes dozens of City and County departments as well as the Mayor’s Office, Supervisor District 1 and Council District 14), through daily reporting and multiple weekly meetings. A full list of agencies in receipt of daily progress reports is provided below.

    Lineage has also prioritized transparency and open communication with the public, providing frequent, bilingual updates via dedicated website and social media channels, as well as direct channels like email, a bilingual phone line, and online request form for community members to ask questions and share concerns.

    Pest Control

    Lineage has expanded its pest-control efforts with support from Orkin to help reduce fly and rodent activity around the site and minimize impacts on nearby residents and businesses; some of the steps currently in place include:

    • Daily fly-control treatments, with additional service added if needed
    • Daily inspections of the property perimeter for signs of rodent activity
    • Rodent-control devices installed around the site in strategic locations
    • Up to 248 exterior fly-control devices installed, including bait stations and fly traps, to help reduce fly populations
    • Targeted fly treatments around dumpsters, loading areas, drainage areas, fence lines, and other locations where flies are most active
    • Ongoing monitoring to track pest activity and adjust control measures as needed
    • Sanitation cleanup efforts to remove materials and conditions that can attract pests or create breeding areas

    Government & Agency Transparency

    Lineage has made transparency and open communication a priority throughout the response and recovery effort. We have maintained ongoing, consistent communication with local, county, state, and federal agencies, as well as elected officials, throughout the entire fire response, cleanup, and recovery process.

    This includes:

    • Publishing daily reports and regularly sharing information regarding site conditions, cleanup activities, air monitoring results, and recovery plans, while also responding to agency and stakeholder questions as part of an ongoing meeting schedule with the Boyle Heights Unified Recovery Command, which includes representatives from many offices and agencies. Those offices and agencies include:
      • The Mayor's Office, Los Angeles City Council offices (including CD-14), the Emergency Management Department, Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Water and Power, Board of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, City Administrative Office, and City Attorney's Office. County participants have included the Office of Emergency Management, Department of Public Health, Department of Public Works, County Fire Department, Board of Supervisors staff, County Counsel, and other county agencies. State and regional partners have included Cal OES, CalEPA, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, among others.
    • Participating in briefings, meetings, and site visits to provide updates and ensure officials have current information about response and recovery efforts. This includes:
      • A weekly meeting with representatives from CD-14, the Mayor’s Office, County Supervisor’s Office, and more than 20 Boyle Heights community organizations including Proyecto Pastoral, Dolores Mission, Inclusive Action, and Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) focused on Lineage’s door-to-door canvassing and community impact efforts.
    • A weekly meeting with representatives from CD-14, the Mayor’s Office, County Supervisor’s Office, LA Emergency Management Department (EMD), LA County Emergency Management (OEM), State Senator’s Office, LAUSD, LAFD and the Department of Public Health to discuss community impact efforts and overall cleanup progress.
    • No agency officials who have requested a site tour or arrived unannounced have been turned away from inspecting the facility firsthand. We believe it is important that officials and regulators understand the complexity and challenges of this situation so we can work cooperatively on the fastest cleanup possible without sacrificing health, safety and regulatory compliance.

    Our teams are working around the clock on cleanup and recovery and communicating the challenges we face to meet the 45-day deadline set in the Mayor’s executive order. To date, no city, county or state officials have offered resources that would expedite cleanup efforts beyond those that Lineage had already deployed.

  • Lineage Expects to Spend Between $80-100 Million on Cleanup

    Lineage looks forward to briefing the South Coast AQMD Hearing Board tomorrow on the company's comprehensive cleanup and odor mitigation plans. In keeping with our commitment to full transparency, we are sharing the materials that will be reviewed with the AQMD Board. They will be available via the AQMD website prior to the hearing. 

    Since commencing cleanup on July 7, Lineage has removed approximately 80% percent of food waste and continues to execute the fastest and safest possible cleanup. Our goal is to complete bulk food waste removal from the site next week. 

    Every day, hundreds of workers, contractors and experts are on-site working around the clock to accelerate the cleanup, reduce odors, protect public health, and provide direct assistance to impacted residents. Our pest and odor mitigation efforts to date are detailed below.

    Lineage today shared that the company expects to spend between $80 and $100 million on cleanup efforts.

    Lineage has consistently and transparently reported on its progress through the Boyle Heights Unified Recovery Command led by the City of Los Angeles (which includes dozens of City and County departments as well as the Mayor’s Office, Supervisor District 1 and Council District 14), through daily reporting and multiple weekly meetings. A full list of agencies in receipt of daily progress reports is provided below.

    Lineage has also prioritized transparency and open communication with the public, providing frequent, bilingual updates via dedicated website and social media channels, as well as direct channels like email, a bilingual phone line, and online request form for community members to ask questions and share concerns.

    To support the community through recovery, we have also provided more than $3.3 million in aid. More information on our community outreach efforts to date can be found below.

    PEST & ODOR CONTROL MITIGATION EFFORTS INCLUDE:

    • Fixed odor-control spray systems to deodorize the air and odorous material are deployed around the site, as well as a tracked robotic spray system
    • Odor neutralizer is applied to waste materials multiple times each day
    • Portions of the building are wrapped to help keep odors contained
    • Nine industrial air scrubbers that pull air through carbon filters are activated to help absorb odors
    • Water is collected and pumped into an onsite wastewater tank that is covered and connected to vapor recovery
    • Daily cleaning of runoff collection areas, loading zones and drains, takes place
    • The roll-off bins into which food waste is loaded are sealed immediately once full; these sealed bins then leave as soon as possible
    • Once trucks are loaded, they promptly leave the facility in accord with approved truck routes
    • Continuous monitoring of air quality and sharing air monitoring data with both local regulators and the public occurs; air monitoring information and an interactive map is available here
    • Lineage has expanded its pest-control efforts with support from Orkin to help reduce fly and rodent activity around the site and minimize impacts on nearby residents and businesses; some of the steps currently in place include:
      • Daily fly-control treatments, with additional service added if needed
      • Daily inspections of the property perimeter for signs of rodent activity
      • Rodent-control devices installed around the site in strategic locations
      • Up to 248 exterior fly-control devices installed, including bait stations and fly traps, to help reduce fly populations
      • Targeted fly treatments around dumpsters, loading areas, drainage areas, fence lines, and other locations where flies are most active
      • Ongoing monitoring to track pest activity and adjust control measures as needed
      • Sanitation cleanup efforts to remove materials and conditions that can attract pests or create breeding areas

    COMMUNITY SUPPORT

    From the beginning, Lineage has been committed to helping in every way – starting with sourcing high-powered water cannons supported by a private firefighting crew from Texas, funding helicopters for water drops and, before the fire was out, distributing air purifiers and masks to the community, and feeding residents and firefighters.

    Lineage’s community support efforts total more than $3.3 million.  

    Lineage has conducted door-to-door outreach to the nearly 800 households closest to the warehouse — those identified by the City and County as being most directly impacted. To date, the outreach team has contacted approximately 87 percent of these households and continues to return to homes that have not yet been reached.

    As of August 3, households in the immediate neighborhood have received:

    • 599 air purifiers
    • 651 portable air-conditioning units
    • 562 N95 masks
    • 638 cases of bottled water
    • ~350 fly traps
    • 1,223 grocery vouchers totaling $122,300
    • 113 cash-assistance cards totaling $113,000

    Eligible households are also offered temporary relocation assistance, utility bill assistance, pest-control supplies, and information about additional community resources.

    These direct neighborhood efforts build on the broader support Lineage has provided since the earliest days of the fire. Lineage contributed $2 million to the California Community Foundation, with funds distributed to more than 20 organizations (see the list) for air purifiers and PPE, food and household supplies, medical and mental health services, housing assistance, cash assistance, small business support, and community outreach. 

    To support requests for temporary housing, Lineage donated $100,000 to United Way 211. In addition, Lineage has provided resources across the broader Boyle Heights community, including 655 air purifiers, 7,051 cases of bottled water, 2,533 prepared meals, 3,260 N95 masks, and 7,000 meal cases distributed through the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. 

    GOVERNMENT & AGENCY TRANSPARENCY

    Lineage has made transparency and open communication a priority throughout the response and recovery effort. We have maintained ongoing, consistent communication with local, county, state, and federal agencies, as well as elected officials, throughout the entire fire response, cleanup, and recovery process.

    This includes:

    • Publishing daily reports and regularly sharing information regarding site conditions, cleanup activities, air monitoring results, and recovery plans, while also responding to agency and stakeholder questions as part of an ongoing meeting schedule with the Boyle Heights Unified Recovery Command, which includes representatives from many offices and agencies. Those offices and agencies include:
      • The Mayor's Office, Los Angeles City Council offices (including CD-14), the Emergency Management Department, Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Water and Power, Board of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, City Administrative Office, and City Attorney's Office. County participants have included the Office of Emergency Management, Department of Public Health, Department of Public Works, County Fire Department, Board of Supervisors staff, County Counsel, and other county agencies. State and regional partners have included Cal OES, CalEPA, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, among others.
    • Participating in briefings, meetings, and site visits to provide updates and ensure officials have current information about response and recovery efforts. This includes:
      • A weekly meeting with representatives from CD-14, the Mayor’s Office, County Supervisor’s Office, and more than 20 Boyle Heights community organizations including Proyecto Pastoral, Dolores Mission, Inclusive Action, and Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) focused on Lineage’s door-to-door canvassing and community impact efforts.
    • A weekly meeting with representatives from CD-14, the Mayor’s Office, County Supervisor’s Office, LA Emergency Management Department (EMD), LA County Emergency Management (OEM), State Senator’s Office, LAUSD, LAFD and the Department of Public Health to discuss community impact efforts and overall cleanup progress.
    • No agency officials who have requested a site tour or arrived unannounced have been turned away from inspecting the facility firsthand. We believe it is important that officials and regulators understand the complexity and challenges of this situation so we can work cooperatively on the fastest cleanup possible without sacrificing health, safety and regulatory compliance.

    Our teams are working around the clock on cleanup and recovery and communicating the challenges we face to meet the 45-day deadline set in the Mayor’s executive order. To date, no city, county or state officials have offered resources that would expedite cleanup efforts beyond those that Lineage had already deployed.

  • View all archived updates

Air Monitoring Update

Lineage is sharing preliminary air monitoring data in connection with the Boyle Heights warehouse fire response. The full air monitoring page includes the latest update, detailed data table, and location-based monitoring maps.

View Air Monitoring Information

Further Questions & Answers

  • The cause of the fire has not been determined. We are the tenant-operator of the warehouse building and lease the roof to a third-party solar company, which is responsible for operating and maintaining the array. We believe the fire originated on the roof on Wednesday while the company's subcontractors were servicing the solar array. We are working closely with local officials to assist in all investigations and remediations of the fire and will continue to do so as we continue with cleanup and waste removal.
  • We can confirm that no measurable ammonia concentrations have been recorded in the community since the fire began. We also proactively took steps to pump out the ammonia and transport it offsite, removing the possibility of ammonia posing a risk to the community.

  • Lineage has consistently supported the community throughout the emergency response and subsequent cleanup and recovery efforts. 

    Early on, we were encouraged by local officials to contribute to the California Community Foundation to unlock immediate relief and support to area residents. Accordingly, Lineage donated $2 million to the California Community Foundation which was then distributed to more than 20 organizations providing additional support; view the list here. These groups were funded to provide: air purifiers and PPE, food and household supplies, medical and mental health services, housing assistance, cash assistance, small business support and community outreach. 

    In addition, during those initial weeks, our team directly distributed a further 7,000 meals via the LA Regional Food Bank, over 3,500 meals via food trucks, over 7,000 cases of water and funded food transportation costs for 4 local food pantries. Our team also supplied over 2,000 masks and 600 air purifiers.

    Since then, we have conducted an intentional and systematic program of door-to-door outreach to the households located nearest our facility to offer those families support in the form of: vouchers for short-term housing, grocery vouchers, air purifiers, air conditioning units, and masks. We are also currently working through utility bill support with LADWP and SoCal Edison, as well as a direct cash assistance program to this same group. Residents are eligible for varying levels of support based on their proximity to the facility. 

    Lineage is continuing to explore ways to provide immediate relief while helping lay the foundation for a strong recovery. At the top of our priority list is the ongoing cleanup effort, including removing all food debris from the community as quickly and safely as possible.

  • Lineage provides temperature-controlled warehousing and supply chain solutions for the storage, handling, and movement of food and other temperature-sensitive products. We serve thousands of customers including some of the world’s largest food and beverage producers, retailers, and distributors to help feed the world.

  • To be clear, we do not store hazardous chemicals or products in this facility. We store food. Frozen food products are kept in buildings like ours before being sent to grocery stores and restaurants throughout the community.

    Our warehouse is like a huge version of the freezer in your home. And, like the freezer in your home, our facility requires a basic chemical reaction to reduce the temperature. 

    Ammonia is the chemical that allows us to cool our building. 

    Ammonia is the dominant refrigerant in the cold storage industry—with industry reports estimating it in use at over 90% of refrigerated warehousing facilities in the United States 

    Ammonia is naturally occurring and is considered the more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to other synthetic refrigerants, which generate potent greenhouse gases. Ammonia has been assessed as having zero global warming potential (GWP)—in other words, ammonia does not contribute to the greenhouse effect responsible for global warming.

  • Cold storage is a critical part of the global food supply chain. Maintaining the proper temperature helps protect food quality and safety, reduce waste, and enables products to move efficiently from producers and importers to the communities they feed. Although they operate behind the scenes, cold storage facilities play an important role in helping keep food moving safely from where it’s grown or produced to grocery stores, restaurants, and communities. 

  • The facility supports a variety of roles that help keep food moving on its journey to your table, including warehouse operations, logistics and transportation coordination, maintenance, customer support, and administrative functions. 

    We are grateful to report that all employees were safely evacuated and no injuries have been reported. The safety of our employees, partners and surrounding community remains our highest priority.

    We are supporting team members impacted by providing resources through our Employee Assistance Program and having them report to other buildings in our network where possible. 

  • The Big Bear facility located in Boyle Heights is part of Lineage's Southern California network, which helps support the movement of temperature-controlled products through one of the nation's most important trade gateways. Located near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the facility is part of a network that helps connect food products to 10M people in communities throughout Southern California and beyond. 

  • Southern California is home to the largest import hub in the U.S. Products like seafood, pork, beef, and poultry from major markets around the globe travel through here for regional distribution for West Coast grocery stores, restaurants, and more. Facilities like Big Bear help maintain the cold chain by keeping temperature-sensitive products at the proper temperature as they move through the food supply chain. From arrival at port to their next destination, these facilities help ensure products are handled safely and efficiently while preserving quality and freshness. 

  • We know the smell is upsetting, and reducing odors is a key priority during the cleanup effort. Lineage has already put several odor-control measures in place and is continuing to work with South Coast AQMD to identify additional solutions to reduce odors where possible. Please see above for more details about the steps we are taking to control odors.

    Using an air purifier in your home and wearing a mask while outside can help with the odor. Masks and air purifiers are available at no charge to residents through multiple city and county agencies. We have compiled a list of resources for your convenience:


    In addition, Lineage is providing direct assistance to residents living closest to the site. If you are located between Los Palos Street and S Herbert Ave., and between I-5 and Union Pacific Ave., you can request an air purifier and masks from our Community Outreach team.

    How to get them: Fill out this form with your name and information and we will happily deliver masks and purifiers to neighborhood residents.

Our Commitment

We will continue to communicate openly, share facts as they are confirmed, and provide regular updates as the situation evolves. Our commitment to this community does not end here, and we will continue to work with officials to support the cleanup in any way we can.

Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring official local channels including LAFD Alerts and South Coast Air Quality Management District to stay aware.

Contact Our Team