Evacuation order remains for parts of Tracy as Corral Fire spreads to 12,500 acres, stretch of I-580 is closed

A neighborhood south of Tracy remains under an evacuation order Sunday as the wind-whipped Corral Fire, which began burning Saturday afternoon, grew overnight to 12,500 acres. Parts of Interstate 580 remain closed in both directions.

Residents living west of the California Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek, west to Alameda County and South to Stanislaus County were told to leave the area, the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services said Saturday around 9 p.m.

A temporary evacuation site is being established at the Larch Clover Community Center at 11157 W. Larch Road in Tracy.

Only three people are currently at the evacuation site as of Sunday morning, according to Elise Vigil, San Joaquin County staff. However, people have been coming in and out since the fire began.

“Most people are stopping by here before checking into hotels or finding their own accommodations,” Vigil said.

The community center is stocked with enough water and snacks for evacuees.

High winds from the west caused the quick growth of the fire as it burned east toward Tracy. In a little over an hour, it grew from 4,900 acres on Saturday as of 7:40 p.m. to 8,800 acres as of 8:50 p.m., according to CalFire.

By 6 a.m. Sunday, 12,500 acres had burned and the blaze was just 15% contained.

As of 8 a.m. Sunday, improved weather conditions allowed crews to advance in constructing and enhancing control lines. At least 400 firefighters have been deployed to the fire so far.

Here is a link for the Corral Fire evacuation map/information for the west portion of San Joaquin County. #cawx https://t.co/NqXOQATgev pic.twitter.com/sqFOgK4uuK

— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) June 2, 2024

The fire broke out Saturday around 2:40 p.m. near the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Site 300, southwest of Tracy.

The fire, reported earlier this afternoon as 40% contained, had been downgraded to just 10% contained as of 8:50 p.m. on Saturday evening, CalFire reported.

Two firefighters were injured while battling the blaze, said CalFire Battalion Chief Josh Silveira.

High winds have hampered firefighters’ efforts to get control of the fire. Air fire crews struggled to find air space to fly safely in, as winds gusted over 40 miles per hour, Silveira noted. Fire crews from across the area — including the Alameda County, Santa Clara County and San Joaquin County, will be combatting the fire from the ground throughout the night.

Those high westerly winds, which are expected to continue throughout the night, are pushing the fire eastward toward Tracy and Stockton, said Craig Shoemaker, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento.

To make matters worse, the wildfire broke out along the Altamont Pass, where winds pick up speed as they squeeze through the tight canyon.

“That’s what has allowed this fire to spread and really get going,” Shoemaker said.

Gusts are expected to drop to 25 miles per hour by tomorrow morning, bringing cooler, more humid air.

The cause of the fire is not yet known. Investigators are expected to arrive on scene Sunday morning at daybreak, CalFire officials said.

The Alameda County Fire Department had been conducting prescribed burns in the area throughout the week starting May 28, with the most recent one ending just before 3 p.m. on Friday, spokesperson Cheryl Hurd said. Crews had confirmed that the fire was out when the operation ended.

Crews did not perform any burns Saturday, she noted.

As of 7 p.m. Saturday, Caltrans had closed I-580 in both directions from Corral Hollow Rd. to I-5. Officials are advising drivers to avoid the area.

Staff writer Ryan Macasero contributed to this report.