Evacuation orders lifted in 14K-acre Corral Fire near Tracy

Aaron Tolentino
·3 min read
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SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) — Evacuation orders and warnings for the Corral Fire that broke out on Saturday have been lifted.

As of Monday afternoon, the fire has been held at 14,168 acres and is 75 percent contained, Cal Fire said. Fire officials advised residents to still be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

The Corral Fire turned brown hills in San Joaquin County black. (Image courtesy Cal Fire SCU)
The Corral Fire turned brown hills in San Joaquin County black. (Image courtesy Cal Fire SCU)

The Corral Fire ignited on Saturday afternoon in San Joaquin County near Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a center for nuclear weapons science and technology. The wildfire did not threaten the laboratory’s facilities because flames spread away from the site, a lab spokesperson said.

A dozer digs a firebreak line attempting to contain the Corral Fire. (Image courtesy Cal Fire SCU)
A dozer digs a firebreak line attempting to contain the Corral Fire. (Image courtesy Cal Fire SCU)

Homes were threatened, and thousands of people in the area were ordered to leave immediately. Flames turned brown grassy hillsides dotted with windmills into a black and charred landscape. Dozers established firebreak containment lines.

Nearly 500 firefighters grappled with 45 mph wind gusts while battling the blaze. Two Alameda County firefighters suffered burn injuries fighting the wildfire, the Alameda County Fire Department said.

A 14,000-acre fire broke out Saturday night near Tracy (KRON4 Photo).
A 14,000-acre fire broke out Saturday night near Tracy (KRON4 Photo).

Travis Curtiss’ parents’ home in Tracy was destroyed. On Monday he sifted through ashes looking for precious family heirlooms dating back more than 100 years.

“There were a couple things that my mom wanted, and they were able to find them today,” Travis Curtiss told KRON4. “I’m just thankful that they are OK. It’s tough, these are memories, but it would be a totally different story if they had been hurt.”

Cal Fire officials wrote on Monday, “Weather conditions became more favorable for firefighters, allowing crews to make progress constructing and improving control lines.”

The cause of the Corral Fire is unknown at the time.

8-alarm fire ignites in Redwood City of Middlefield Road

With a heat wave on the way, fire crews are hoping to established 100 percent containment within the next few days. The National Weather Service said “dangerously hot conditions” with highs over 100 degrees are forecast on Wednesday in the San Joaquin Valley.

A structure remains standing and surrounded by fire-scorched wildland. (Image courtesy Cal Fire SCU)
A structure remains standing and surrounded by fire-scorched wildland. (Image courtesy Cal Fire SCU)

Cal Fire spokesperson Cecile Juliette said on Monday that firefighters were trying to “get this fire wrapped up as quickly as we can. As you know, there is a heat wave coming up and the grass is already very dry all over the Bay Area. They hope today (weather conditions) will be just as good as Sunday, which means full containment could be days away.”

Evacuation orders were lifted Sunday evening to allow residents to return home. Evacuation warnings were lifted Monday evening, Cal Fire officials said. Earlier, fire officials told KRON4 that the fire had burned 16,000 acres, but later clarified that number down.

KRON4 will have continuing coverage at the scene of the Corral Fire. Stay tuned for the latest updates.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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