Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Yolo County Declares Emergency as DNA Testing Begins on Esparto Blast Victims

Yolo County seeks assistance from state, federal agencies to support recovery, investigation efforts following the July 1 explosion.

Image
Image
A dramatic explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Esparto, Calif., caused a massive fire and sent huge plumes of black smoke and lit fireworks into the sky.

Overview

  • The Yolo County Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency Tuesday to request state and federal support for disaster response, investigative, financial and other assistance.
  • The county coroner’s office initiated rapid DNA testing Monday to confirm the identities of seven remains recovered from the Devastating Pyrotechnics warehouse site.
  • Recovery crews, CAL FIRE bomb squads and ATF teams have carried out controlled explosive disposals and burn-off operations to secure unexploded fireworks and clear hazards.
  • The Office of the State Fire Marshal is leading a multi-agency investigation with CAL FIRE and the ATF to determine the explosion’s origin, cause and any regulatory violations.
  • Families have expressed frustration over delayed updates as officials maintain safety perimeters, citing ongoing hazard mitigation at the charred Oakdale Fire site.