City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: August 18, 2026
From: Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Department: City Administration
Submitted by: Lilia Hernandez, Deputy City Administrator Subject
Extending State of Local Emergency
Recommendation
Renew Resolution No. 2026-034, ratifying Emergency Proclamation No. 2026-001, a proclamation of local emergency due to 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). Located just north of City of Vernon boundaries, the Palos Warehouse Fire impacted air quality in the City and throughout the region prompting the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) to issue a Particle Pollution Advisory for several days following the fire. Due to the significant impacts to the community, 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).
Also effective on June 20, 2026, Mayor Melissa Ybarra, acting as the Chief Executive Officer of the Vernon 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), within seven (7) days of Emergency Proclamation No. 2026-001 being issued, on June 23, 2026, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-034 ratifying the Chief Executive Officer’s proclamation of local emergency (Attachment 1). Pursuant to Government Code Section 8630, the governing body shall review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until the governing body terminates the local emergency, and the termination shall occur at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant. Accordingly, staff are providing information regarding the current conditions in the areas near the fire.
The Palos Warehouse Fire continues to significantly impact the local community as ongoing cleanup efforts, including the removal of approximately 85 million pounds of spoiled food waste, are generating increased odors, dust from demolition work, debris removal and increased truck traffic. The community has also expressed concern regarding an increased presence of flies, vermin, and rodents. As a result, government agencies and community-based organizations continue efforts to assist affected households by providing air purifiers, temporary relocation assistance, food assistance, health screenings, masks, water, personal hygiene products, and other emergency relief supplies. The ongoing odor issues reported by over 4,000 community complaints prompted the South Coast AQMD to issue at least 20 Notices of Violation (NOV) to the facility operator (Lineage Logistics, LLC) for violations of its public nuisance rules.
Most recently, the community has voiced concerns over the increased presence of green bottle flies in the area due to the decomposition of food products at the Boyle Heights Lineage facility.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued citations and fines to Lineage for the unsanitary conditions and pest control violations. To help mitigate any increased presence of flies in Vernon, the City has made free fly traps available to all Vernon households and has shared information on habits that can help reduce fly activity.
Following the fire, the City received emergency funding requests from local non-profit community organizations that are actively providing aid to residents affected by the Palos Warehouse Fire.
Providing financial assistance to such organizations would be at the Council’s discretion and will be presented separately for consideration.
Based on the community impacts resulting from the Palos Warehouse Fire and ongoing need for emergency aid, the City Council may extend the local state of emergency by renewing Resolution No. 2026-034. Extending the resolution may also provide an opportunity for the City to be reimbursed for any expenses incurred as a result of the Palos Warehouse Fire. Should the Council desire to terminate the local state of emergency, a Resolution would need to be presented for consideration at a subsequent Council Meeting.
Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 1: Strengthen City Credibility and Partnerships
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with renewing resolution No. 2026-034. 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