Corral Fire Ravages Tracy, Prompts Evacuations and Injures Firefighters

Dangerous heat is scorching parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona, with high temperatures reaching potentially record-breaking levels by mid-week. The intense heat wave has ignited wildfire conditions in Tracy, California, where more than 12,250 acres have been engulfed, leading to evacuation orders.

Firefighters battling the Corral Fire near Tracy faced challenging conditions as the blaze expanded to 12,500 acres over the weekend. Mandatory evacuations were enforced for certain residents as the fire threatened homes.

The origin of the Corral Fire, which started near the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Site southwest of Tracy, remains under investigation. Fueled by dry grass and strong winds, the fire rapidly spread, growing to over 10,000 acres within a day.

As of Sunday, the Corral Fire had escalated to over 12,500 acres, with containment efforts at 15%. Evacuation orders are in place for areas west of the California Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek Road extending to Alameda County, and further south to Stanislaus County.

The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services has established a temporary shelter at the Larch Clover Community Center on West Larch Road for affected residents. Despite the proximity, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory assured that the fire does not pose a threat to their operations.

Temperatures in Central California, including Tracy, are expected to soar above 100 degrees on Tuesday, intensifying the firefighting challenges. The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings for millions across California, predicting temperatures ranging from 95 to 108 degrees.

Amidst the scorching conditions, the Corral Fire has caused several injuries to firefighters, with at least two individuals hurt while combating the blaze. The fire has already destroyed at least one home in the area.

Power outages affecting thousands of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. customers have been reported, though most have since been restored. Continued hot and windy conditions pose additional risks for firefighting efforts, as gusts between 20 and 30 mph could exacerbate the fire’s growth.