A wildfire that ignited on Saturday afternoon in San Joaquin County, California, has rapidly spread, devouring more than 11,000 acres of land and prompting mandatory evacuations for residents in its path, authorities reported.
The blaze, known as the Corral Fire, originated in the City of Tracy around 2:30 p.m. and has only been contained to 13% as of late Saturday night, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Local officials had issued warnings earlier about the potential for dangerous fire conditions due to gusty winds, high temperatures, and dry vegetation.
Residents in the affected areas were urged to evacuate immediately, with specific instructions for those west of the California Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek, west to Alameda County, and south to Stanislaus County. A temporary evacuation center has been established at Larch Clover Community Center to assist impacted residents.
San Joaquin County officials instructed Tracy residents closest to the fire to evacuate, while advising others in proximity to be prepared to leave if necessary.
Kevin J Lincoln, Mayor of Stockton, expressed solidarity with Tracy residents and first responders through social media.
A portion of Interstate 580 has been closed in both directions due to the fire, smoke, and poor visibility, according to the California Department of Transportation.
With gusty winds forecasted to persist overnight, there are concerns that the fire could spread further. Additionally, sweltering heat in the upcoming week may exacerbate fire conditions.
The National Weather Service in Sacramento issued an Excessive Heat Watch for the Valley and adjacent foothills from Tuesday to Thursday, with temperatures expected to range from 95-107˚F.
CAL FIRE recently imposed a suspension on all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris in several counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and parts of San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. This decision was made due to the heightened fire danger posed by hot, dry conditions and increased dead vegetation.
So far this year, firefighters have responded to over 1,200 wildfires across the state, as reported by CAL FIRE. Santa Clara Unit Chief Baraka Carter emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant and adhering to fire safety guidelines to mitigate the risk and protect communities.
