Firefighters made significant progress on Sunday in containing a wind-driven wildfire near Tracy that scorched thousands of acres, burned down a home, and forced residents to flee.
As of Sunday evening, CalFire stated the cause of the fire was under investigation.
The wildfire, dubbed the Corral Fire, erupted Saturday afternoon in the grassy hills managed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a key center for nuclear weapons science and technology. By Sunday afternoon, the fire had consumed approximately 14,168 acres and was 50% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Despite the proximity, the research center was not under immediate threat from the blaze, which had burned around 22 square miles. Thousands of residents, including parts of Tracy, a city of 100,000, were ordered to evacuate. About 200 families were asked to leave their homes for evacuation centers.
The evacuation order was downgraded to an evacuation warning on Sunday evening, allowing residents to return home but remain vigilant. Tracy is located about 70 miles south of Sacramento.
CalFire Battalion Chief Josh Silveira reported that the fire had reached the area’s homes, destroying one. Calmer winds and milder weather on Sunday were expected to prevent further spread. Two firefighters suffered minor to moderate burns on Saturday and were hospitalized but expected to recover fully.
Lawrence Livermore spokesperson Paul Rhien confirmed that no laboratory facilities or operations were threatened, and the fire had moved away from the site. The lab activated its emergency operations center as a precaution.
Photos showed flames advancing over the dry landscape, with dark smoke filling the sky. The wildfire also led to the temporary closure of two major highways, including an interstate connecting the San Francisco Bay Area to San Joaquin County, which reopened by Sunday afternoon.
The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services issued an evacuation order for areas west of the California Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek, and extending to Alameda and Stanislaus Counties. A temporary evacuation center was set up at Larch Clover Community Center in Tracy, with evacuation orders downgraded to warnings after 6 p.m. Sunday.
The home that burned down on Bernard Drive near Tracy belonged to Chris and Stevan Curtiss, who lived there for 35 years. Their son, Travis Curtiss, said his parents evacuated safely with their two dogs and pet turtle but had little time to grab belongings.
"They’ve seen fires before, but this one was too fast," Curtiss said. Sheriff's deputies knocked on his parents' door Saturday evening, prompting the hasty evacuation.
On Sunday, Curtiss accompanied his mother and law enforcement to survey the damage and recover sentimental items from the debris. "They lost everything and could use the support," he said.
Many residents were shocked by the fire’s rapid spread. "We thought we were safe behind the hill, but then the wind picked up," said 14-year-old Monte Maniz, whose family had to evacuate.
Sunday’s high temperature in Tracy was expected to reach 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius), with no rain in the forecast. However, hotter conditions are anticipated later in the week. The National Weather Service predicted “dangerously hot conditions” with highs between 103 and 108 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 to 42.2 degrees Celsius) for the San Joaquin Valley. Wind gusts up to 45 mph had lashed the region Saturday night, according to meteorologist Idamis Shoemaker.
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