A massive fire at a medical supply warehouse in Tracy, California, continues to burn into its third day, with firefighters struggling to contain the blaze and officials warning residents about unhealthy air quality.
Fire Details
The fire broke out at the Medline Industries warehouse in Tracy, a city of over 100,000 residents located about 55 miles east of San Francisco. The warehouse spans approximately 1 million square feet. Officials expect the firefighting efforts to continue for several more days.
The cause and origin of the fire remain unknown, and law enforcement is investigating. No injuries have been reported.
Firefighting Challenges
Fire Chief Randall Bradley stated at a Saturday press conference, "We're struggling a little bit to get to the seed of the fire. At some point, we're hoping to secure the walls that haven't fallen yet. And to get in and start moving some of the debris around so we can really get water into the seed of the fire." He added, "We're making some progress – but it's slow."
Previously, officials noted that the firefighting efforts were hampered by a broken sprinkler system and low water pressure in hydrants. A Medline spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the warehouse's water infrastructure.
About 5,000 gallons of water per minute have been used to combat the flames, Bradley said.
Air Quality and Public Health
Heavy smoke is expected to linger in the area for the next few days, though Bradley noted that the plumes have dissipated since the fire started on Thursday. Officials have advised residents, especially those vulnerable to poor air quality, to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed.
Authorities also warned residents to avoid debris, which may contain hazardous materials, according to KCRA, an NBC affiliate in Sacramento.
Warehouse Demolition and Rebuilding
The warehouse is set for demolition, Bradley said. A new facility is expected to be built on the site, as it is a key distribution location.
Medline Response
Medline supplies gloves, surgical masks, medical apparel, and other products. A company spokesperson said on Saturday that the "vast majority of order lines" have been rerouted to other distribution centers. "We have also boosted regional staffing, regional inventory and transportation capacity through increased use of MedTrans trucks, third-party carriers, and truck relay operations to accelerate product movement throughout the impacted region," the spokesperson added.
Fire authorities are coordinating with Medline personnel to retrieve vehicles left behind by employees during the evacuation. The company spokesperson said they are identifying work opportunities "in the near term" for affected employees.
