Key facts
- A large fire at a Medline medical equipment warehouse in Tracy, California, is in its third day.
- Air quality in the city has been rated as "unhealthy" due to smoke from the fire.
- Firefighters are facing challenges with the warehouse's fire-suppression system and hydrants.
- The fire has caused embers to travel for miles.
Firefighters are continuing to battle a large fire at a Medline medical equipment warehouse in Tracy, California, which has been burning for three days. Officials have urged residents sensitive to smoke to remain indoors as air quality in the city has reached "unhealthy" levels. The blaze, which started Thursday, has sent embers flying for miles. Fire Chief Randall Bradley stated that firefighters anticipate smoky conditions for several more days due to the extensive effort required to extinguish the fire within the 1 million-square-foot facility. Investigations into the cause are underway, with officials assessing the building's condition. Firefighters noted that the facility's fire-suppression system and hydrants exhibited poor functionality, though city water supplies were not the issue. An inspection of the sprinkler system in January had revealed no problems. Plans are being made for employees to retrieve their vehicles from the site.