A wildfire, dubbed the Corral Fire, ignited on Saturday in Tracy, San Joaquin County, California, and has engulfed over 12,500 acres.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced that the fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in the grass-covered hills governed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a key site for nuclear weapons science and technology in the United States.
However, authorities indicated that the blaze did not pose an immediate threat to the research center.
The department reported that the blaze was only 15% contained as of Sunday morning.
In a statement, Lawrence Livermore spokesperson Paul Rhien said, “We have been working in close partnership with Cal Fire, Alameda County Fire Dept, and other emergency services partners throughout the evening.”
The origins of the fire remain under investigation. The rapid spread has been fueled by high winds, elevated temperatures, and dried grass, leading to widespread evacuations in the affected regions.
Officials have directed evacuations in areas extending from west of the California Aqueduct to south of Corral Hollow Creek and towards Alameda and Stanislaus counties.
The urgency escalated on Saturday evening as residents close to the fire’s path were urged to evacuate immediately while others were advised to prepare for possible departure.
A relief center has been established at the Larch Clover Community Center to assist those displaced by the fire.
The firefighting efforts have not been without incident, with two firefighters from Alameda County sustaining minor to moderate injuries.
According to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Josh Silveira, they were taken to a hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, Stockton’s Mayor Kevin J. Lincoln expressed solidarity, stating, “Praying for our Tracy neighbors and first responders,” in a social media post.
Due to heavy smoke and reduced visibility, Interstate 580 was shut down for a segment of the emergency response. Weather forecasts predict continued strong winds, with speeds reaching up to 40 mph, and an excessive heat watch was issued from Tuesday to Thursday, with temperatures expected to soar between 95 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions may exacerbate the wildfire threat.
In response to the escalating fire danger, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has halted all residential outdoor burning in several counties, including Alameda and Santa Clara.
This preventive measure comes as the state has already faced over 1,200 wildfires this year.
Santa Clara Unit Chief Baraka Carter noted the importance of community vigilance and adherence to fire safety guidelines.
“As the summer heat intensifies, CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit’s commitment and unwavering efforts remain steadfast in safeguarding California’s communities from wildfires,” he remarked.
