California firefighters battled a wind-driven wildfire that started near the city of Tracy and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in central California. The fire was fueled by hot and dry conditions and grew to 19.5 square miles, with 15% containment. Two firefighters were injured, and Interstate 580 was closed from the Alameda County line to the Stanislaus County line. The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services issued evacuation orders for certain areas, while a temporary evacuation point was established at Larch Clover Community Center in Tracy. The fire was near the Lawrence Livermore laboratory’s Site 300 but presented no threats to any facilities.
The National Weather Service warned of “dangerously hot conditions” with temperatures reaching 103 F to 108 F later in the week for the San Joaquin Valley area, including Tracy. Wind gusts of up to 45 mph were reported in the region on Saturday night. The fire was predominantly burning in grassy hills, sending dark plumes of smoke into the sky. Firefighters faced challenges due to strong winds and dry grass, making containment difficult. Sunday’s high temperature for Tracy was expected to reach 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with no rain in the forecast.
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a research and development institution primarily focused on the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, was located near the wildfire. Site 300, a facility supporting the development of explosive materials and hydrodynamic testing, was also in the vicinity of the fire. Despite the proximity, the fire did not pose any threats to laboratory facilities or operations. Lawrence Livermore spokesperson Paul Rhien confirmed that they were working closely with emergency services partners and had activated their emergency operations center as a precaution.
Efforts to contain the Corral Fire were ongoing, with firefighters aided by aircraft working to combat the blaze. The fire had spread in an area straddling the San Francisco Bay Area and central California, with the potential for hotter conditions to exacerbate the situation. Strong winds and dry conditions continued to hamper containment efforts, leading to challenges for firefighters on the ground. The size of the fire had increased from 17.2 to 19.5 square miles, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
As the fire continued to burn and spread, residents in affected areas were urged to follow evacuation orders and seek assistance at designated evacuation points. The closure of major roadways like Interstate 580 and disturbances to transportation highlighted the impact of the wildfire on the region. With high temperatures and no rain in the forecast, the risk of further spread and intensity of the fire remained a concern. Emergency response teams were working diligently to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate the impact of the Corral Fire on the surrounding communities.
