By Ricardo Roura
Thousands of Backyard Grove residents cleared to return home after Orange County authorities announced the reduction of the area in which the restriction remains active due to the risk of explosion of a tank with a toxic chemical substance.
According to Backyard Grove Police Department Chief Amir El-Farra, The area under the evacuation order affects about 16,000 residentsof the 50,000 who had to leave their homes since Thursday, May 21.
***UPDATED INCIDENT MAP***
Efficient as of Monday, Would possibly maybe perchance well simply 25 at 6pm, the red unlit house represents the most up-to-date evacuation zone, while the red outline represents the outdated evacuation zone. pic.twitter.com/6PzEZIhXi4
— OCFA (@OCFireAuthority) Would possibly maybe maybe perchance well simply 26, 2026
The area includes Orangewood Avenue to the north, Dale Boulevard to the east, Knott Boulevard to the west, and Backyard Grove Boulevard to the south.
Keep reading: Trump approves emergency declaration for Orange County
Furthermore, it was announced that Traffic flow restored on Backyard Grove Boulevard in both directions, while the entrance and exit ramps of Highway 22 remain open.
The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) reported that the new area under the evacuation order came into effect as of 6:00 pm this Monday, May 25.
Orange County officials updated restrictions in the city of Backyard Grove after confirming Monday morning that The risk of explosion of the affected tank at the GKN Aerospace facilities was eliminated.
Keep reading: Lawyers File Class Action Crisis Lawsuit in Orange County
However, OCFA warned that there was still a risk to community safety.
Since May 21, a failure was reported in the 36,000-gallon capacity tank, which raised the temperature to 100 degrees, leading to fears that An explosion or spill of 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate could occur.a highly toxic and flammable substance.
Due to the risk, the OCFA issued evacuation orders for about 50,000 residents of Backyard Grove and certain nearby communitieswho had to leave their homes and move to shelter centers.
Keep reading: Distress in Backyard Grove over dangerous chemical leak
Firefighters worked throughout the weekend to release water in efforts to reduce tank temperature of the chemical substance.
The governor of California, Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency on Saturday morning in Orange County to facilitate state resources in support of the crisis in Backyard Grove.
This Monday morning, Governor Newsom’s office reported that President Donald Trump authorized California’s request to issue a federal state of emergencywhich allowed help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Keep reading: Newsom asks Trump to declare a federal state of emergency in Orange County
Shelters for affected residents remain open for people living in the reduced evacuation zone announced this Monday afternoon.
Keep reading:
· Food, ventilation, pets: What chemical evacuees should check before returning home
· What is the chemical substance that causes the emergency in Orange County?
· Danger of explosion or chemical spill persists in Orange County
