Firefighters, with the support of aircraft, are battling the Corral Fire, a wind-driven wildfire that began Saturday and has continued burning into early Sunday. The fire is affecting areas straddling the San Francisco Bay Area and central California.
The Corral Fire started near the city of Tracy, approximately 60 miles east of San Francisco, and has extended towards the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore. The blaze has rapidly spread across grassy hills, driven by strong winds that are forecasted to persist overnight.
As of early Sunday, Cal Fire reported that the Corral Fire has burned 12,500 acres with 15% containment, an increase from the initial report of about 11,000 acres. Dark plumes of smoke are visible high in the sky, signaling the ongoing intensity of the wildfire. Evacuation orders have been issued, and residents are urged to stay informed and comply with safety directives.
The Corral Fire, which began near Tracy and has now burned 12,500 acres with 15% containment, has led to significant disruptions and safety concerns in the region. The California Department of Transportation closed Interstate 580 in both directions from Corral Hollow Road to Interstate 5 due to poor visibility caused by smoke.
Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit Chief Baraka Carter reported that two fire workers sustained injuries, as noted by the San Francisco Chronicle. The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services issued an evacuation order for residents east of Interstate 580, specifically between Corral Hollow Road and Tracy Boulevard. Residents south of Tracy Boulevard have been advised to prepare for possible evacuation.
The evacuation area extends west of the California Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek, west to Alameda County, and south to Stanislaus County. A temporary evacuation point has been set up at Larch Clover Community Center in Tracy.
The wildfire is also near the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Site 300, which is involved in the development and testing of explosive materials for the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile. The laboratory's main installation is located 15 miles west of Site 300, southwest of Tracy.
Emergency services are actively working to contain the fire and ensure the safety of the affected communities. Residents in the vicinity are urged to stay updated through official channels and adhere to evacuation orders and preparedness instructions.
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Site 300, where researchers work on high-explosive assemblies for nonnuclear weapon prototypes and components, is not currently threatened by the Corral Fire. The fire has moved away from the site, and no laboratory facilities or operations are at risk, according to Lawrence Livermore spokesperson Paul Rhien.
In a statement to The Associated Press early Sunday, Rhien assured that the laboratory is collaborating closely with Cal Fire, Alameda County Fire Department, and other emergency services. As a precaution, the laboratory has activated its emergency operations center to monitor the situation throughout the weekend.
The Corral Fire, which has burned 12,500 acres with 15% containment, continues to challenge firefighting efforts due to strong winds and dry conditions. Interstate 580 remains closed between Corral Hollow Road and Interstate 5 because of low visibility from the smoke, and evacuation orders are in place for several areas. The temporary evacuation point at Larch Clover Community Center in Tracy is available for displaced residents.
Residents are urged to stay informed through official updates and comply with evacuation orders and safety instructions
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