A fireworks warehouse near Esparto, California, exploded on Tuesday evening, causing mandatory evacuations and sending debris soaring thousands of feet. The blast, which shook the surrounding area, ignited spot fires across 80 acres. Firefighters contained the blaze, dubbed the “Oakdale Fire,” and are investigating the cause, with no injuries reported immediately.
A fireworks warehouse in rural northern California exploded into a fireball on Tuesday evening, triggering evacuations and sending smoke and debris soaring thousands of feet into the sky. Dramatic footage captured by NBC affiliate KCRA showed fireworks launching uncontrollably from the facility, white smoke gushing through the roof, and a massive explosion that sent shockwaves through the surrounding area. The blast occurred just outside Esparto, a rural community in Yolo County about 35 miles northwest of Sacramento, near County Roads 23 and 86A. The explosion led to a mandatory evacuation order within a one-mile radius, affecting nearby residents in Esparto and Madison.
What happened?
The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident involved a fireworks storage facility. Helicopter footage revealed at least one building engulfed in flames while pyrotechnics detonated above the site, sparking numerous spot fires. The Esparto Fire Protection District estimated the fire spread across 80 acres of nearby fields. Residents described feeling the ground shake as the blast echoed across the countryside. “All we felt was everything shake,” Esparto resident Bryan Sandoval told the Sacramento Bee. Although his home was not damaged, he and his family joined many others in evacuating. Social media videos showed a towering column of grey smoke rising to 15,000 feet and visible for miles around. Roads in the area were swiftly closed as emergency crews—including Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit—rushed to contain the flames and prevent the fire from reaching Highway 16 and Oakdale Lane. Firefighters arrived at around 5:50 p.m. and found multiple commercial buildings already consumed by flames. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, though authorities currently do not suspect foul play. Drones have been deployed to assess the extent of the damage, and arson and bomb specialists from the State Fire Marshal’s Office are assisting. By 7:30 p.m., crews had stopped the fire from spreading further. No injuries were immediately reported, though officials say the situation is still developing. As of late Tuesday night, evacuation orders remained in place for areas south of Highway 16. Cal Fire is continuing to investigate the blaze, now dubbed the “Oakdale Fire.”
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