Los Angeles Declares Emergency over Warehouse Fire

Authorities in the US city of Los Angeles have declared a state of emergency as firefighters continue battling a massive warehouse fire that has burned for several days in the historic Boyle Heights neighborhood.

Mayor Karen Bass issued the emergency declaration to accelerate access to state and federal resources, while requesting regulatory flexibility to support response efforts.

The blaze, which erupted on Wednesday, has forced officials to open emergency shelters for residents affected by heavy smoke and hazardous fumes. Fire crews remain engaged in containment operations as air quality concerns persist across parts of the city.

Gavin Newsom said California is prepared to support Los Angeles with emergency supplies, including millions of N95 masks, air purifiers, bottled water, and air-quality monitoring resources.

Officials warned that the fire poses a potential biological hazard because it broke out at a cold-storage facility containing more than 85 million pounds of frozen food, including meat and bread products. Authorities fear that prolonged decomposition could create serious health risks if the fire is not brought under control.

The emergency declaration is expected to ease pressure on local resources as crews continue efforts to contain the fire and protect nearby communities.