The Lineage cold-storage warehouse fire in Boyle Heights was knocked down Wednesday after burning for eight days.
The knockdown of the Palos Fire was declared at 5:58 p.m. Wednesday by the Los Angeles Fire Department, meaning there are no active flames and no threat of fire spread. However, debris within the structure continues to smolder as crews move into the overhaul phase of operations.
Smoke conditions in the surrounding area have improved significantly but some smoke may remain visible as firefighters continue to access and extinguish deep-seated hot spots. Firefighters will continue applying water throughout the structure to ensure complete extinguishment, the department announced.
Drones equipped with infrared cameras remain in operation, identifying hidden heat sources and allowing crews to direct high-volume water streams precisely where needed, according to the department.
Earlier Wednesday, the department announced flames on the roof had been eliminated overnight, allowing firefighters to focus on smoldering hot spots inside the damaged structure.
The warehouse erupted in fire about 2:30 p.m. last Wednesday, and while crews initially believed they had contained the blaze — in part through the rare use of water-dropping helicopters on a structure fire — pockets of fire continued to burn inside the structure.
As the fire continued burning, air quality concerns persisted for large swaths of Los Angeles, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and South Coast Air Quality Management District have not detected anything beyond normal combustible material typical after a fire, authorities said.
A special Particle Pollution Advisory issued by the AQMD was extended until at least 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.