Corral Fire evacuations downgraded to warnings; 14,000 acres burned, 30% contained

Written by Bay City News

TRACY, Calif. (KPIX-TV)- Firefighters gained ground Sunday on a wind-driven wildfire that scorched thousands of acres 60 miles east of San Francisco, burned down a home and forced residents to flee the area near Tracy.

As of 6 p.m. Sunday, all evacuation orders will be downgraded to warnings, Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit said on social media. Residents were advised to remain vigilant and prepared for potential changes.

Cal Fire said road closures would continue to be enforced for nonresidents on South Corral Hollow Road and Chrisman Road south of Interstate 580.

As of 5 p.m., westbound I-580 between Interstate Highway 5 and Interstate Highway 205 remained closed to traffic, though I-580 eastbound was open, the California Highway Patrol said.

Residents east of Highway 580 between Corral Hollow Road and South Tracy Boulevard were the first ones told to evacuate by the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services.

The fire erupted Saturday afternoon in the grassy hills managed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, one of the country's key centers for nuclear weapons science and technology. The cause was under investigation.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the research center was not under immediate threat from the blaze, dubbed the Corral Fire, which had devoured some 14,000 acres by Sunday afternoon and was 30 percent contained.

"Firefighters have made good progress constructing and improving control lines," Cal Fire said on social media Sunday afternoon.

Thousands of people in the area, including parts of the city of Tracy, were ordered to leave for evacuation centers.