This incident is resolved. All protective orders were lifted by approximately 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2026, after Los Angeles County Fire Department hazmat crews confirmed the chemical release was contained and air monitoring showed no residual risk to the public. No new evidence of ongoing impact has emerged since.

At 11:53 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, orange smoke began rising from the roof of Shepard Bros. (503 S. Cypress Street, La Habra), a manufacturer of household and industrial cleaning chemicals. According to LA County Fire Capt. Aaron Katon, residual product in a container mixed with another chemical being introduced into a process line, triggering a reaction that produced visible orange smoke and a slow tank leak.

Authorities established a unified command with LA County Fire and La Habra police. An evacuation order covering roughly a one-mile radius was issued, later downgraded to a shelter-in-place advisory with a smaller radius. Washington Middle School, located approximately half a mile from the facility, was evacuated as a precaution. Road closures were placed on Cypress Street between La Habra Boulevard and Lambert Road, and on Euclid to Harbor.

Three employees reported respiratory irritation and were evaluated by paramedics on scene; none were hospitalized.

Hazmat crews described the reacted chemical as inert, with no active hazard remaining. After the plume dissipated and air monitoring confirmed no risk, the all-clear was issued between approximately 2:20 and 2:30 p.m. Air monitoring continued after the all-clear as a precaution.

Candidate items from the geographic area since the last refresh are unrelated to this incident — routine Fullerton Police Department reports, library events in Brea, and unrelated power outages. No follow-up investigation findings, regulatory actions, or additional impacts have been reported. The situation remains resolved.