Although the fire at the Lineage warehouse facility is finally showing signs of coming to an end, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Fire Department, the health risks and poor air quality are far from over.

Faced with the complicated situation they face, members of the Boyle Heights community continue to support each other and provide essential items to those most affected.

Since the start of the fire, several businesses, residents and organizations did not wait for help from the city or officials to mobilize. They, almost immediately, looked for the quickest way to help their neighbors directly affected by the flames that started last Wednesday.

Community leaders organized to distribute face masks, air purifiers, water and other essential items to those who needed them.

“It is important for me to get involved in my community because my heart is here, in Boyle Heights, and I am always willing to do whatever it takes to help,” said Janet Cerda, owner of Café Niña, while serving her customers, who, when leaving, took a mask. “Because if we don't help each other, who else is going to help us?”

Next to the 4th Street Bridge is Janet's Coffee Shop in Boyle Heights. In addition to serving a great cup of coffee, he has always been dedicated to his community, whether it was sharing resources during ICE raids or turning his backyard coffee shop into a small relief center during the Lineage Fire.

He said he received the first boxes of P-100 masks after requesting them from the county, something anyone can do by calling 311 for the city and 211 for the county. However, she noted that she is accepting any donations and if anyone would like to donate more masks for people to pick up for free, they can contact her through her Instagram @juscafenina.

When we stopped by their location on Tuesday, which is just 2 miles from the fire, you could smell the smoke in the air, making your eyes irritated and making you want to cough. Many of their customers live nearby and often walk to their location, as much of the Boyle Heights community is accustomed to doing so. They walk around their neighborhoods or take public transportation to school or work, and the fire has only made these everyday activities very uncomfortable.

One man we spoke to, who was waiting for his coffee order, said he had traveled on the Metro over the weekend and upon arriving in Boyle Heights, he was hit by a cloud of smoke still in the air. Among her clients was also Usuani Monreal, a mother who went to Janet's place with her child not only for a drink, but because she saw that she was distributing free face masks.

“I've been arguing with my whole family because they keep walking everywhere, so I came to look for some masks for them and for us,” Monreal said while carrying her son in her arms. "As I can smell smoke right now, my son is already coughing; it's the first time we've left the house since Wednesday."

"There are all kinds of toxins in the air and, as always, it's the small businesses that step up to help. And it's heartwarming to see our community come together, but it's also sad that the companies responsible for the fire don't do anything. I saw that they donated money, but how much of that actually reaches us?" he added.

Although the county has been providing help, many report long lines and few resources for so many people. Therefore, businesses and other groups are doing their part to help.

Another organization that came together to help the neighborhood included Centro CSO, a group that advocates for immigrant rights, quality public education and police accountability, among other issues, and which distributed dozens of boxes of masks delivered directly to residents of Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles. Something they plan to continue doing as long as they have resources.

Espacio 1839, a well-known location in the Boyle Heights community, distributed face masks not only for adults, but also for children.

They also collaborated with Yerbería Mayahuel and distributed a mixture of teas to relieve breathing. The Coyotl wan Macehualli group is also building and distributing air purifiers thanks to donations from more than 160 people. For those interested in purchasing an air purifier, visit their Instagram for more information. The East L.A. Walk Club is also another group that is delivering air purifiers to your home; They ask whoever they can to buy a purifier from their Amazon link and they will be in charge of distributing them.

“I honestly feel like in times like this we have to come together to help and encourage each other so that Boyle Heights can breathe easy again,” Janet said before returning to making coffee. “While I understand that the city is doing what it can, in reality we always depend on ourselves.”