City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: June 23, 2026
From: Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Department: City Administration
Submitted by: Lilia Hernandez, Deputy City Administrator Subject
Ratification of Proclamation of Local Emergency
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-034 ratifying the Chief Executive Officer’s proclamation of local emergency as a result of the threat to public health from the Palos Warehouse Fire.
Background
On June 17, 2026, a structural fire ignited in a large cold storage warehouse in the Boyle Heights neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles (Palos Warehouse Fire). The Palos Warehouse Fire generated a substantial smoke plume prompting the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) to issue a Particle Pollution Advisory that has since been extended daily. Located just north of City of Vernon boundaries, the Palos Warehouse Fire has impacted air quality in the City and throughout the region. Subsequently, on June 20, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in Los Angeles County due to the Palos Warehouse Fire (Attachment 2).
On June 20, 2026, Mayor Melissa Ybarra, acting as the Chief Executive Officer of the Disaster Council, issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency declaring the existence of a local state of emergency in the City of Vernon due to the Palos Warehouse Fire.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 8630 and Vernon Municipal Code Section 2.36.050(B)(1), the local emergency shall not remain in effect for a period in excess of seven days unless the Proclamation has been ratified by the City Council. If adopted, the Resolution will constitute ratification of the Proclamation by the City Council.
Fiscal Impact
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with adoption of the resolution. The actions taken by the City in response to the local emergency may have a fiscal impact depending on the actions taken.
Attachments
1. Resolution No. 2026-034 Ratifying Local Emergency
2. California Proclamation of a State of Emergency