Aftermath effects exclusion of factory from the supply chain. Risks and losses of fires.


A recent fire engulfed the Kimberly-Clark facility in Ontario, California, potentially disrupting the paper goods market.

The six-alarm fire quickly overtook the 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse, damaging the building and the products stored inside. About 140 personnel from the Ontario Fire Department, CAL FIRE, Riverside County Fire Department, and other agencies engaged in a defensive fire attack to quell the flames. Employees inside at the start of the fire were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported on-site.

This may lead to supply chain shortages. Servicing around 50 million consumers, the loss of significant volumes of tissue, paper, and personal care products may impact distribution across the West Coast. Simply adding to current commercial cleaning industry stressors—global tariffs, geopolitical conflicts, evolving regulations and compliance measures—there is a need for resilience. Strategic domestic partnerships can support shifting capacity needs resulting from this unfortunate incident.

Due to the intensity of the fire, authorities initiated an air quality advisory to the surrounding area. Although the warning is primarily for outdoor exposure, smoke and ash damage adversely impact indoor air quality as well. Facilities nearby may utilize HVAC filtration systems, monitor air quality via sensors, and limit airborne contaminants through consistent cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces and high-traffic areas.