The Los Angeles Dodgers held their scheduled game against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium despite lingering poor air quality caused by a large warehouse fire in the nearby Boyle Heights area. The blaze, which began Wednesday inside a commercial facility storing millions of pounds of frozen food, continued to produce thick smoke that hung over much of the city throughout the day.

In the hours leading up to the game, air quality readings fluctuated but generally improved enough to allow play to proceed. About four hours before the first pitch, the stadium was enveloped in a dense, acrid haze that obscured visibility, making the surrounding hillside trees and parking lots difficult to see. Some workers and media members struggled to secure protective masks amid the worsened conditions, while the grounds crew preparing the field in the morning worked without respiratory protection.

“From what I’ve heard is we’re going to move forward. We’re not in any jeopardy,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said roughly two hours before game time. He acknowledged the smoky environment, describing the scene as “a little dark out there, a little Gotham City” when he arrived. He added that the league was monitoring the situation and decided to proceed with the game.

A state of emergency had been declared the previous day in response to the ongoing fire, underscoring the seriousness of the incident and its impact on the surrounding community. Despite the visible smoke and pungent air, players appeared to have differing reactions to the conditions. Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts said he was largely unaware of the fire and noticed little discomfort upon arriving at the stadium. “I didn’t know there was a fire until 10 seconds ago,” Betts said after entering the clubhouse. “I just smelled something, but I was walking and wasn’t paying any attention. We’ll see how it goes.”

Officials and team personnel continued to monitor the situation as the game proceeded, balancing concerns about air quality with the logistical challenges of rescheduling. The decision to play highlighted the difficulties faced by sports organizations when natural or environmental hazards impact scheduled events. Fire crews remained engaged in battling the warehouse blaze, aiming to bring the situation under control in the coming days.