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erronis

(24,894 posts)
Sat Jun 13, 2026, 07:50 PM Jun 13

Blaze at 1m-sq-ft California warehouse rages into third day: 'We're struggling'

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/13/california-warehouse-fire-tracy

Fire at medical supplier Medline in Tracy, city of more than 100,000 residents, is affecting the air quality

When a fire hits a data center located in a large community, and the AI in the center has to decide whether to save itself or the community? Does it deny water to the firefighters?

California firefighters continued to battle a blaze on Saturday that had engulfed a roughly 1m sq ft warehouse, causing officials to warn residents over unhealthy air quality.

The fire has been raging at the medical supplier Medline Industries' warehouse in Tracy, a city of more than 100,000 residents located about 55 miles (90km) east of San Francisco. Officials expect to be battling the fire for a few more days.

. . .

Previously, officials said that the firefight had been hampered by a sprinkler system that appeared to be broken and low water pressure in hydrants. A spokesperson for Medline did not immediately respond to a Saturday request for comment regarding the warehouse's water infrastructure.

About 5,000 gallons of water per minute have been expended to combat the flames, Bradley said.

. . .
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Blaze at 1m-sq-ft California warehouse rages into third day: 'We're struggling' (Original Post) erronis Jun 13 OP
I'm confused by the 1 m-sq-ft dimension. I have never seen that before. biophile Jun 13 #1
Yes, it confused me also. The translation between m for meters and m for millions. erronis Jun 13 #2
I have seen M for million but once I looked it up, I see the biophile Jun 13 #3
how would AI respond? DBoon Jun 13 #4

biophile

(1,664 posts)
1. I'm confused by the 1 m-sq-ft dimension. I have never seen that before.
Sat Jun 13, 2026, 08:30 PM
Jun 13

I’m guessing that it’s a big building though despite my confusion 😏☺️

erronis

(24,894 posts)
2. Yes, it confused me also. The translation between m for meters and m for millions.
Sat Jun 13, 2026, 08:33 PM
Jun 13

Another way to put it in non-metric is a "big ass place".

biophile

(1,664 posts)
3. I have seen M for million but once I looked it up, I see the
Sat Jun 13, 2026, 09:06 PM
Jun 13

Lower case m is also used. As you say, it’s a honking big ass place!

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