Free medical support in Commerce in response to Lineage Fire

In response to the Lineage Fire affecting the air quality of the surrounding neighborhoods in East Los Angeles, Via Care Community Health Center is deploying its mobile health team to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in the City of Commerce to provide free health services, distribute protective equipment and connect residents with ongoing care.

While Los Angeles County and city authorities have said the smoke from the warehouse fire does not pose a significant health risk and have classified it as a Class A combustible fire, residents continue to express concerns about ongoing smoke exposure, according to Via Care Chief External Relations Officer Jonathan Weedman, as the blaze reaches its seventh day. 

“Hundreds of people are looking for help and are in distress, so we were there to try and do what we can,” he said.

The fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. on June 17 at the Lineage Logistics warehouse located at 1400 S. Los Palos Street. Since then, firefighters have remained on the scene working to contain the blaze and extinguish persistent hot spots.

Weedman said that common health concerns he is seeing among residents are individuals with asthma, chronic respiratory conditions and those exposed to smoke for extended periods of time.

“I have never seen anything quite like this,” Weedman said, even after experiencing the devastating Altadena Fire, which destroyed the home he shared with his husband.

“We were there fighting the fire until about 4:30 in the morning, when we had to evacuate,” he said. “This is worse than that was in terms of the amount of smoke and the overall experience.”

He also shared that Via Care staff are equipped with N95 masks and are offering them at no cost to residents affected by the fire. In addition, the team is providing breathing treatments and distributing eye drops to individuals experiencing irritation from the smoke.

Weedman recalled helping a senior citizen who arrived at the site struggling to breathe.

“She was wheezing terribly,” he said. “Her daughter was crying and saying, ‘Please help my mother.’ We provided a breathing treatment, and her condition improved.”

Dr. Ilan Shapiro said the smoke generated by the warehouse fire contains a significant amount of organic and inorganic particulate matter that can affect air quality in Boyle Heights and surrounding communities. 

He also offered guidance for residents, encouraging them to limit outdoor exposure, wear N95 masks, keep windows and doors closed, avoid using air conditioning units that bring in air from the outside and seek medical attention if they experience respiratory symptoms or worsening health conditions.

Weedman shared that the fire's impact has been especially challenging for low-income residents who lack the resources to escape the smoke-filled area. “Many people simply can't afford to stay in a hotel or take time off from work,” he said. “They're trapped.”

The Boyle Heights community is home to roughly 80,825 people, with an estimated 94% identifying as Latino. The area has historically been a working-class, low-income neighborhood. 

As Weedman drove through the area, he saw cars still parked in front of the homes near the fire. He also noted that some workers at nearby businesses are still spending time outdoors and breathing in the smoke.

“It’s terrible,” he said, and warned that continued exposure could lead to long-term respiratory health impacts. 

Other free services offered by the Via Care team for residents impacted by the Lineage Fire include first aid and basic medical care, blood pressure screenings and mental health support.

Weedman told CALÓ News that they were the only medical provider on site the previous day, treating about 30 to 40 people in their mobile van unit. He added that they also spoke with dozens of additional residents who came seeking information and resources.

The mobile health unit will continue providing services today, Tuesday, and tomorrow, Wednesday, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church until 5:00 p.m. and is encouraging community members to stop by to be seen by a provider.

“This event really snuck up on everybody. I have not seen a fire like this of this scale and this magnitude. I think it's about the worst one we've ever had, Weedman said. “This just shows us how fast something like this can just take over a community.”