A fire in Boyle Heights involving an ammonia gas leak inside a cold storage facility prompted shelter-in-place orders, a smoke advisory across parts of East Los Angeles, and evacuations for a small number of people closest to the site. Officials also urged res
A fire involving an ammonia gas leak inside a cold storage facility in Boyle Heights forced neighborhoods nearby to act fast—closing up homes, limiting outdoor exposure, and following health orders that stayed in place through the evening.
A shelter-in-place order was in effect from roughly south of the 101 Freeway to Washington Boulevard. and east of Soto Street to Indiana Street. Residents in those areas were told to close all windows and doors. turn off air conditioning/heating. bring all people and pets to an inside room. and close vents.
Beyond the immediate shelter zone, air concerns stretched across East Los Angeles. A smoke advisory was issued for a broad swath of the region, urging members of the public to limit outdoor exercise and telling those with health issues to remain indoors.
L.A. County also urged caution for people outdoors in the area of Montebello, Monterey Park and surrounding areas. The guidance was blunt and specific: if sensitive to health issues. go indoors. close all doors/windows. and limit outside activities. Residents were also told to limit exposure to outdoor air, and for emergencies to call 911.
The National Weather Service forecast called for “southwest winds 6-12 mph to continue into the evening,” a detail that mattered to officials as they planned for how air could move.
Evacuations were limited. A small number of people nearest to the site of the fire were evacuated.
The sequence of orders—shelter-in-place first, then a wider smoke advisory—meant residents weren’t just asked to avoid the area. They were told to seal homes, keep people and pets inside, and reduce exposure during the window when wind could carry harmful air.
Boyle Heights fire ammonia gas leak cold storage facility shelter-in-place smoke advisory L.A. County East Los Angeles air quality Montebello Monterey Park 101 Freeway Washington Boulevard
So they just told everyone to shut their houses up? That’s terrifying.
I don’t get why they’d shelter-in-place but also evacuate? Like which one was it, because my aunt only heard “evacuate” and then nobody knew where to go. Also ammonia is from cleaners right? Makes me think someone messed up with chemicals at the facility.
They said turn off the AC and close vents… okay but what about people in apartments with no choice? I swear every time something happens over there it’s like the rules change. Ammonia smell would’ve hit sooner, so was it really just cold storage or is it like a bigger issue? Also the smoke advisory sounded like “don’t breathe” basically.
Southwest winds 6-12 mph into the evening… so it’s basically gonna drift into my neighborhood too right? I’m in Montebello-adjacent so I’m just staying inside. The whole thing feels like they waited too long, because if it’s that bad why isn’t everybody evacuated? Anyway hope those folks were okay.