A wind-whipped wildfire in Northern California grew to 14,000 acres of primarily dry grassland on Sunday, injuring two firefighters and forcing the evacuation of more than 100 houses, according to officials.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports that the Corral Fire is burning in San Joaquin County, near the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which is approximately 50 miles outside of San Francisco.
“Areas west of the California Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek, west to Alameda County and south to Stanislaus County should leave now,” San Joaquin emergency officials stated on Saturday.
Cal Fire Battalion Chief Josh Silveira reported that the fire had injured two firefighters. He stated that both were anticipated to live, with one having minor wounds and the other having moderate injuries.
Around 2:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, the fire along Interstate 580 on Tracy’s western side started, and by midnight, it had quickly grown to approximately 11,047 acres, of which about 13% were contained, according to officials.
On Sunday afternoon, Cal Fire authorities raised that estimate, stating that the fire had spread to 14,000 acres and was 30% contained.
“This is a reminder fire season is year-round. Despite the wet winter, the fuels are now dry. Californians should know the fire threat,” Silveira stated on Sunday afternoon.
According to Silveira, the Corral Fire was raging in a rural area with thick, dry grass that was, in some places, up to four feet tall.
“When everything lined up yesterday with the higher temperatures, strong winds and dry fuels, it became hard for firefighters to stop,” Silveira stated.
According to Silveira, the winds that fanned the fire on Saturday night significantly subsided on Sunday, allowing firefighters to make headway in putting it out.
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According to Cal Fire, about 400 firefighters were battling the fire on Sunday afternoon with the assistance of air tankers.
The California Highway Patrol reports that while the eastbound lanes of Interstate 580 were closed due to the fire, the westbound lanes were reopened on Sunday afternoon.
According to Silveira, over 100 residences were evacuated and one building was destroyed in the fire. He stated that later on Sunday, some evacuation orders should be withdrawn.
