Rapidly spreading Corral Fire forces evacuations in San Joaquin County, California

Evacuations were ordered in San Joaquin County due to the rapidly spreading Corral Fire, which has burned 11 047 acres (4 470 ha) southwest of Tracy, California as of June 1, 2024.

The Corral Fire has consumed 4 470 ha (11 047 acres) after igniting on June 1 near Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Site 300, southwest of Tracy (population 97 328), according to Cal Fire.

The fire’s containment, initially reported at 40%, dropped to 10% around 19:30 LT, before slightly improving to 13% before 23:00 LT on June 1.

The Alameda County Fire Department reported that two firefighters were hospitalized with minor to moderate burns. Controlled burns are being conducted near the Tracy Hills neighborhood north of evacuation orders, with ample fire resources on site.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, with Cal Fire and Alameda Fire Department actively battling the blaze.

The Corral Fire started on June 1 and soon crossed Corral Hollow Road and reached I-580, burning south past the Tracy Golf and Country Club and reaching Lane Tree Creek. It then hopped Interstate 580, extending to Bird Road near the Granite Construction Vernalis Plant. South of South Tracy Boulevard, the fire spread between the interstate and the aqueduct.

To combat the fire, the first Type 1 Large Airtanker of the year was deployed from Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit’s McClellan Airtanker Base.

At 18:30 LT on June 1, the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services issued evacuation order for residents east of I-580 between Corral Hollow Road and S. Tracy Boulevard, known as SJC 210. This order was extended southwest of Vernalis Road to the Tracy Golf and County Club on the east side of I-580, including the Tesla Treatment Facility, designated as SJC211. Additionally, SJC215, an area southwest of I-580 and north of I-5, was upgraded to an evacuation order.

Evacuation orders expanded west along Corral Hollow Road and south to the southwestern point of San Joaquin County. These orders, identified as SJC213, SJC212, and SJC199, cover areas between I-580 and the California Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek to Alameda County, and south to Stanislaus County.

Temporary evacuation locations include the Larch Clover Community Center at 11157 W. Larch Road in Tracy, while a large animal shelter has been established at the Manteca Unified School District located at 2271 W Louise Avenue in Manteca.

Road closures due to the fire include eastbound and westbound I-580 from the junction with Interstate 205 to Interstate 5, Highway 132 from the junction with I-580 to the junction with I-5, and several local roads such as S. Tracy Boulevard, S. Manteca Drive, S. Chrisman Road, and Bird Road.

References:

¹ Evacuation orders issued for 11,000 acre wildfire burning southwest of Tracy – CBS – June 2, 2024

² Corral Fire – CalFire – June 2, 2024

Featured image credit: CalFire