A massive fire at a medical supply warehouse in Tracy, California, continued burning into Friday after destroying a large distribution facility and forcing evacuations at nearby industrial buildings, officials said.
The fire broke out Thursday afternoon at a Medline distribution center, a roughly 1 million-square-foot warehouse located in an industrial area about 55 miles east of San Francisco. The facility stored medical equipment and supplies, including products used by hospitals and healthcare providers.
No injuries have been reported, and Medline said all employees and personnel at the site were accounted for. However, officials warned that the blaze could take days to fully extinguish because of the size of the building, the intensity of the fire and possible hazardous materials inside.
Aerial footage showed thick black smoke rising from the warehouse as flames burned through the structure. The fire was large enough to be seen from miles away and sent debris and embers into surrounding areas.
TRENDING TODAY
Authorities evacuated nearby facilities in the industrial park as a precaution. The area includes major warehouse and distribution operations, including sites connected to FedEx, Amazon and Home Depot. Fire officials said embers spread across the street toward a FedEx facility, but crews were able to keep the fire from causing major damage there.
South San Joaquin County Fire Authority Chief Randall Bradley said firefighting efforts were complicated by several factors, including a sprinkler system that appeared not to be working properly and low water pressure at hydrants connected to the facility. Officials said the water-pressure problem appeared to involve the warehouse’s private system, not the city’s public water system.
Weather conditions also made the response more difficult. Low humidity, high temperatures and strong winds helped the fire spread quickly and increased the risk of flying embers. Local reports said several secondary fires broke out after embers landed nearby.
The warehouse was described by local officials as a total loss. Fire crews from multiple agencies responded, and authorities said the operation would likely continue for an extended period.
Medline said it was working with local officials and first responders while assessing the damage.
“We are coordinating closely with local authorities and first responders as we assess the fire’s impact and will share more details as they become available,” the company said in a statement.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Officials have not said whether they believe the blaze was accidental, mechanical, electrical or caused by another factor.
Because the facility contained medical supplies and industrial materials, authorities are monitoring air quality and possible health risks. Local officials urged vulnerable residents, including children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions, to limit smoke exposure and stay indoors if needed.
Thick black smoke from warehouse fires can contain a mixture of chemicals depending on what materials are burning. In this case, officials have said they are evaluating possible hazards and air-quality impacts, but they have not reported widespread injuries or hospitalizations connected to the smoke.
Tracy Mayor Dan Arriola said officials were focused on protecting residents and monitoring air conditions as the fire continued to burn.
The fire also raised questions about warehouse safety systems. If the sprinkler system failed or water pressure was insufficient, investigators may examine whether the facility met fire-safety requirements and whether maintenance issues contributed to the rapid spread.
Large warehouse fires can be especially difficult to control because of the size of the buildings, the amount of stored material and the challenge of reaching flames once fire spreads deep inside the structure. Medical supply warehouses may also contain plastics, packaging, chemicals, batteries, cleaning products and other materials that can produce heavy smoke when burned.
The Tracy fire could also create supply-chain concerns for hospitals and healthcare providers that rely on Medline products. Medline is a major medical-surgical supply company that provides items such as gloves, masks, surgical tools and other equipment. The company has not yet released detailed information about possible disruptions, but major distribution-center damage can force companies to shift shipments to other facilities.
For residents near the industrial park, the immediate concern remains smoke, debris and road closures. Police and fire officials have asked people to avoid the area while crews continue working.
The fire is one of the largest industrial blazes in the region in recent memory and could remain active for days. Officials are expected to provide further updates as investigators determine the cause and environmental teams continue monitoring conditions.
Why It Matters
This matters because the fire destroyed a major medical supply warehouse and could affect nearby businesses, workers and possibly supply chains for healthcare products.
It also matters because officials are monitoring possible toxic smoke and air-quality risks. Warehouse fires can release hazardous particles depending on what materials are stored inside, making public health guidance important for nearby residents.
What Comes Next
Fire crews will continue working to extinguish hot spots and prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby facilities. Investigators will examine the cause of the fire and whether sprinkler or water-pressure problems contributed to the rapid destruction of the building.
Local officials are also expected to continue air-quality monitoring and issue updated guidance for residents if smoke conditions worsen.
Video shared online showed thick smoke rising from the Medline warehouse fire in Tracy, California, as crews worked to contain the blaze and officials monitored air quality.
BREAKING: Massive fire erupts from a medical supply warehouse that can be seen for miles in Tracy, California.
The fire is at the Medline warehouse, one of the largest medical supply distributors, which ships products to hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country.… pic.twitter.com/CzSfgedvks
— E X X ➠A L E R T S (@ExxAlerts) June 11, 2026
