While the bulk of the fire was under control, it could take until Tuesday afternoon or evening for crews
to fully extinguish the blaze, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas said at a morning
briefing.

"This is a very, very difficult fire to fight," he said.

It continued to smolder among the wooden pier timbers, which were coated with water-resistant, highly
flammable creosote, a byproduct of the coal industry that is used to prevent erosion.

Thick smoke from the fire prompted the Los Angeles fire and police officials to issue advisories to
residents in Wilmington, San Pedro and Long Beach to remain indoors and keep windows closed. Nearby
schools remained open with all outdoor activities suspended.

The Port of Los Angeles, along with its twin port in Long Beach, handles 40 percent of America’s import
trade. The fire shut down the wharf but was not immediately affecting overall operations at the port,
officials said.

More than 150 firefighters had control of the fire about 2 ½ hours after it broke out Monday night, but
stubborn flames underneath the docks proved hard to reach. The fire burned under a warehouse with large
metal coils inside. It was contained to about 150 feet of the dock.

Crews attacked the blaze with helicopters and trucks, but fireboats were more effective, and divers in
the water helped direct them, fire spokeswoman Katherine Main said late Monday.

Smoke reached two terminals, forcing the evacuation of about 850 workers. No injuries were reported.

Terrazas said investigators determined the blaze was started during a welding operation.

The wharf, which dates to before World War II, is in San Pedro Bay in the Wilmington neighborhood,
approximately 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.