Long Beach grapples with toxic runoff from warehouse fire and a budget shortfall

A June 17 warehouse fire in Boyle Heights burned for a week, releasing toxic chemicals and decaying food products into runoff that later entered Long Beach waterways. City officials reported elevated bacteria levels and dead fish in the Los Angeles River and wetlands, prompting a water‑quality advisory and a council‑backed request for a Cleanup and Abatement Order from the regional water board.

At the same time, Long Beach is drawing on its emergency‑reserve fund to cover a budget gap caused by weaker‑than‑expected tax revenue and rising costs. The city projects roughly $21 million less in revenue and $20.8 million more in expenses, with utility tax collections down about $14.7 million and the health department needing an $11 million infusion after a loss of federal grants. The use of reserves—normally reserved for disasters—raises concerns about the city’s ability to fund future emergencies and could lead to cuts in services and delays in infrastructure projects.