A fire that destroyed Medline's 1 million-square-foot distribution center in Tracy, Calif., last week continued burning for days, making it one of the largest warehouse fires in recent U.S. history. The blaze produced massive smoke plumes, prompted evacuations at nearby facilities, including FedEx and Amazon operations, and raised concerns about air quality and potential toxic exposure. No injuries were reported, and all employees were safely evacuated.
The fire originated at the Medline facility, a key distribution hub for medical supplies. Firefighters faced challenges due to a malfunctioning sprinkler system and low water pressure, while high temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity accelerated the fire's spread. Crews prevented the blaze from reaching a neighboring FedEx facility, though several spot fires were reported in the area.
The Tracy warehouse distributed a wide range of healthcare products, including gloves, masks, surgical instruments, and other medical supplies. Medline activated contingency plans immediately, rerouting orders through other distribution centers and expanding transportation capacity to help minimize disruptions. Health systems reported limited short-term impact, though the full implications for the supply chain remain under evaluation.
The warehouse has been declared a total loss and is expected to be demolished. Investigators are continuing to determine the cause of the fire, while air quality advisories remain in effect for portions of the Tracy area due to lingering smoke and debris.
Update (6/17/2026):
In a recent update, Medline said it has largely mitigated customer service disruptions stemming from the fire at its Tracy, Calif., distribution center. The company reported that the vast majority of customer orders have been fulfilled through rerouting and redistribution across its national network, with product shipments continuing throughout the weekend.
Medline's supply chain contingency plans remain in effect. A dedicated command center continues to coordinate operations using alternate distribution facilities, expanded inventory positions, additional transportation resources, MedTrans drivers, and third-party carriers to maintain customer service levels.
The company also said it has contacted nearly all affected employees and is providing financial assistance, counseling, and other support resources.
Meanwhile, community recovery efforts are underway. Medline has engaged Clean Harbors to help remove fire-related debris from public areas and established a hotline for residents and businesses seeking cleanup assistance.
