California firefighters battling Corral Fire now face triple-digit heat
TRACY, Calif. – California firefighters will face extreme temperatures this week as they continue working to contain the Corral Fire outside of Tracy, which exploded to more than 14,000 acres over the weekend.
According to officials with the CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit (SCU), the Corral wildfire started on Saturday afternoon near the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Site southwest of the town of Tracy. Throughout the day, dry grass and gusty winds helped the fire rapidly grow to over 10,000 acres.
On Tuesday, the Corral Fire remained at around 14,100 acres, and fire crews had contained the blaze to 90%.
What sparked the fire is under investigation.
About 200 homes were evacuated over the weekend in San Joaquin County, but those orders were downgraded to evacuation warnings Sunday night.
All evacuation orders and road closures were lifted on Monday. Fire destroyed one home.
“Residents are advised to remain vigilant and be prepared for potential changes,” according to CAL FIRE SCU.
According to FOX 2 KTVU, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory said in a statement that the Corral Fire does not threaten the science and technology facility.
More than 475 personnel from throughout California are responding to the Corral Fire. Two firefighters were injured while battling the blaze, but both are expected to fully recover.
The Corral Fire is the largest wildfire burning in the state, but firefighters are battling dozens of fires across California as wildfire season gets underway.
In neighboring Alameda County, another fire started on Monday driven by wind near Patterson Pass Road in Altamont. The fire remained under 100 acres and is 74% contained.
Multiple atmospheric rivers have helped with drought conditions but also added vegetation for wildfire growth.
“This is a very hilly portion of California, and it is now dark brown,” FOX Weather Meteorologist Craig Herrera said. “We’ve had a number of atmospheric rivers, and the brush is in different layers, so a lot to burn with even though it is lower-lying.”
Winds and dangerous heat fuel extreme fire growth
Monday, weather conditions were more favorable for firefighters, allowing crews to make progress improving control lines.
However, temperatures are heating up and Tracy is forecast to surpass 100 degrees. By Wednesday, temperatures could soar to 106 degrees.
The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for millions in California, including San Joaquin County.
“This heat isn’t going to help,” FOX Weather Meteorologist Marissa Torres said. “The very wet winter that we had out west aided in vegetation and growth. But when you start to dry it out with this high heat and dry air, it can really make for a bad situation on the ground.”
Dangerously hot conditions are possible across the region, with high temperatures between 95 and 108 degrees and a widespread “major” HeatRisk.
Strong winds this week will also be determinantal to the ongoing firefight. Winds gusting between 20 and 30 mph could fuel more fire growth.
