City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: October 6, 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). As of October 1, 2026, the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation remains listed as an active emergency proclamation by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
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) On August 18, 2026, City Council renewed Resolution No. 2026-034 extending the state of local emergency. 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.
Recent Updates
The removal of food material from the facility was completed in late August and work began on final clean-up activities including complete debris removal and power washing. Odor control, and pest mitigation are ongoing. Community recovery efforts and environmental monitoring also continue as odors persist and residents near the facility report health concerns and mental health impacts. Additionally, residents in Southeast Los Angeles have also expressed concern about the content and impact of firefighting runoff carried into the Los Angeles River as researchers from the University of California Los Angeles reported elevated levels of heavy metals, including lead.
Due to the ongoing impacts of the fire, government agencies and community-based organizations continue efforts to assist affected households and businesses by providing air purifiers, temporary relocation assistance, food assistance, health screenings, job assistance, and other community resources. To date, the ongoing odor issues as reported by thousands of community complaints have prompted the South Coast AQMD to issue at least 39 Notices of Violation (NOV) to the facility operator (Lineage Logistics, LLC) for violations of its public nuisance rules.
Previous Updates
Following the fire, the community 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) 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 made free fly traps available to all Vernon households and shared information on habits that can help reduce fly activity. The City also received emergency funding requests from local non-profit community organizations actively engaged in community recovery efforts. On August 18, 2026, the City Council approved emergency donations to three nonprofit organizations providing aid to families and individuals affected by the Palos Warehouse Fire.
Next Steps
Based on the community impacts resulting from the Palos Warehouse Fire and ongoing need to provide aid and resources to the community, 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