Cleanup efforts continue at the Medline warehouse site in Tracy after a massive fire last week destroyed the 1-million-square-foot facility, leaving widespread debris and damage throughout the area.
Thursday, June 18, 2026 1:37AMCleanup efforts continue at the Medline warehouse site in Tracy after a massive fire last week destroyed the 1-million-square-foot facility, leaving widespread debris and damage throughout the area.
Officials said the fire, described as one of the largest warehouse fires in U.S. history, has been extinguished. The San Joaquin Office of Emergency Services reported good air quality Wednesday, and the Tracy Fire Department transferred control of the site back to Medline earlier in the day.
"I wanted to come by here. I didn't realize it was this bad. It's awful," said Tracy resident Ramona Philips. Philips said smoke from the fire had a noticeable impact in the days immediately following the blaze.
Crews remove Tracy Medline facility's walls to tackle interior hotspots, officials say "You know, I haven't noticed any difference in the air quality. But the first two days, the smoke was really bad. It was dark, dark, dark," she said. On Wednesday, some employees were allowed to return to retrieve vehicles that were not damaged in the fire.
"The debris field that is scattered -- the six square miles, including the Tracy Hills development," said Deputy Chief Brian Bagley of the Tracy Fire Department. Officials have been advising residents on how to safely handle debris that may have landed on their properties. Hazmat teams are available to assist and safety supplies, such as masks and gloves, are being distributed at Fire Station 95.
"We have already had over 350 homes reach out to us in regards to having their homes cleaned," Bagley said. The San Joaquin Office of Emergency Services also released a list of chemicals stored at the facility, warning that ash and debris may contain hazardous materials, including metals and other fine particles that could be harmful if inhaled or touched without proper precautions. Philips said she believes her immediate neighborhood is safe but acknowledged the broader impact of the fire.
"I know people -- stuff came flying down in their yards. And they were told not to use it, to touch it," she said. Fire crews remain on site, monitoring for hot spots, as demolition work continues. Officials said testing of air and water quality is ongoing, with more data expected in the coming days.
Please follow us on Google to support us United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Volunteers step in as Merrillville tornado cleanup continues; thousands without powerFour days after tornadoes ripped through Illinois and northwest Indiana, a new wave of volunteers was preparing to assist with cleanup in one of the hardest hit areas on Monday. Cleanup was underway throughout the town of Merrillville, Indiana, after an EF-2 tornado tore through late last week.
Read more »
Pasadena Community Protests PUSD Plan to Remove 200 Trees for Toxic Soil CleanupPasadena residents, including students and activists, are protesting the Pasadena Unified School District's plan to cut down approximately 200 trees as part of a soil remediation project at 11 school sites contaminated after the Eaton fire. The plan has sparked debate over jurisdiction, communication, and environmental preservation, leading to tree-sit protests and City Council scrutiny.
Read more »
Pasadena School District to Remove 193 Trees for Wildfire Soil Cleanup, Sparking OutcryPasadena Unified School District plans to cut down nearly 200 trees across 11 campuses to remediate soil contaminated by the Eaton Fire. Residents, who say they were not properly notified, are urging alternatives like phytoremediation to save mature trees. The district aims to finish before summer break, citing safety and state requirements.
Read more »
Northwest Indiana braces for more severe weather while cleanup from last week's storms continuesNorthwest Indiana is preparing for another round of expected severe weather Wednesday while cleanup from last week's storms continues. Here's what residents need to know.
Read more »