Wilmington Wharf Fire: Port of LA Update

With the wharf fire in Wilmington now more than 90 percent contained, terminals at the Port of Los Angeles plan to resume full operations Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. informs the Port.

Only the Pasha terminal at Berth 177, the location of the fire, will remain closed.  Nearby Yusen Terminals International will reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

“I’d like to thank the brave men and women from several agencies that are doing an extraordinary job keeping Harbor Area residents and workers safe while preventing further damage from this stubborn fire,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka.

“The Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Port Police, the Long Beach Fire  and Police departments, U.S. Coast Guard, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Unified School District and U.S. Department of Fish and Game have all worked together seamlessly to minimize the impact of this incident. We’re particularly grateful to our neighbors in Long Beach for their cooperation and assistance.”

Port of Los Angeles  environmental officials have been monitoring air quality levels on an hourly basis since the start of the fire. The South Coast Air Quality Management District has also taken air quality samples in the area. Both agencies agree that air quality conditions are safe for residents and for a return to work in the area. Air monitoring stations will continue to monitor samples in the area.

Background
The fire broke out at about 6.40pm on 22 September in the 800 block of South Fries Avenue beneath a steel warehouse, threatening nearby cargo ships.

The fire was contained to a 50-foot-by-800-foot area,  where crews struggled to reach flames within multiple layers of heavy timber soaked in dark, tar-like liquid creosote.