Boyle Heights fire expected to be fully contained by midnight, LAFD says

A temporary air sensor placed just a few blocks east of the cold storage facility fire in Boyle Heights recorded a dramatic spike in pollution levels overnight, according to real time data from the EPA's AirNow map.

The map, which pulls readings from thousands of sensors across the region, showed the temporary monitor listing moderate air quality on Tuesday. But hourly data revealed that at 9 p.m. Monday, the Air Quality Index surged to 621 - a level far above the 300 mark, which anything above is considered "hazardous".

By Tuesday, the AQI at that same sensor had dropped back to 66, underscoring how quickly readings can shift depending on wind patterns.

Doctors say the AQI number is critical for anyone near wildfire smoke.

Residents can check the AQI from the sensor closest to them at the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map website.

FULL STORY HERE.

A temporary air sensor placed a few blocks from the cold storage facility fire in Boyle Heights recorded a dramatic spike in pollution levels overnight.

Fire officials said investigators have not been able to access the roof and do not yet know the exact cause, but they do not believe it is suspicious.

On Monday, Lineage said in a statement that it believes the fire started on the roof when the owner of the solar array, Altus Power, was doing tests.

Altus Power responded Tuesday, disputing that conclusion.

" ... The cause of the fire where our rooftop solar array is located at the Los Palos Street facility has yet to be determined. We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they investigate," the company said in a statement.

Meantime, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors ratified an emergency declaration Tuesday, aligning with state and city actions to help direct agencies and resources to an ongoing fire fight.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors ratified an emergency declaration Tuesday, aligning with state and city actions to help direct agencies and resources to an ongoing fire fight.

People directly affected by the situation - including those who have endured unhealthy to dangerous air quality for a full week - expressed hope that conditions will improve soon and the firefighting effort will come to an end.

The company that owns the solar array on the Boyle Heights warehouse responded for the first time a week after the fire broke out.

Lineage Logistics, the tenant-operator of the warehouse, said Monday they believe the fire started when the owner of the solar array, Altus Power, was conducting tests.

On Tuesday, Altus Power released the following statement:

"Our first concern is for the residents of Boyle Heights, everyone affected by this fire, and for the firefighters working to contain it. The cause of the fire where our rooftop solar array is located at the Los Palos Street facility has yet to be determined. We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they investigate."

The company that owns the solar array on the Boyle Heights warehouse responded for the first time a week after the fire broke out.

Crews hope to have the stubborn warehouse fire fully extinguished in the next day or so.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a declaration of a local emergency to mobilize resources in the ongoing fight against a cold-storage fire.

The vote is expected as a formality, with the declaration likely to be ratified.

The declaration, in part, will authorize the county, just like the city, to receive funds and other resources that they need.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jamie Moore said additional resources were brought in to help combat the stubborn fire.

"We have integrated private sector resources directly into this incident command system, which is not something we do routinely, and it has made a meaningful difference," Moore said at a Monday news conference.

After six days and nights of continuous firefighting, a massive warehouse fire in Boyle Heights continues to burn.

The firefighting effort included high-powered water cannons brought in from out of state, Chinook helicopters conducting repeated water drops over the weekend and a long-arm excavator used to tear siding from the facility.

Moore said Lineage, the tenant-operator of the building, offered to help the response.

"Lineage stepped up and said whatever you need to put this fire out, we will offer it to you. We want to reduce the impact on this community and they felt horrible, as did the building owner himself," Moore said.