Violent BLAST—Wildfire Sparks EVACUATIONS

Every second counts as rescue teams race against time after a devastating fireworks facility explosion leaves seven individuals unaccounted for and sends surrounding areas into chaos.

At a Glance

  • A massive explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Yolo County, California, has left seven people missing.
  • The blast, which occurred on Tuesday evening, sparked an 80-acre wildfire and prompted evacuation orders.
  • Firefighters were forced to pull back from the scene due to the risk of secondary explosions.
  • Cal Fire is investigating the cause of the explosion at the licensed pyrotechnic facility.

Explosion Rocks Rural Yolo County

A catastrophic explosion at a fireworks storage facility rocked a rural community in Northern California on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, leaving seven people missing and sparking a large wildfire. The blast occurred just before 6 p.m. near the town of Esparto, about 40 miles northwest of Sacramento, and was felt for miles around.

The explosion completely obliterated the warehouse structure and sent a massive plume of smoke into the air. The force of the blast and the subsequent fires prompted the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office to issue mandatory evacuation orders for the immediate area.

A Dangerous and Unstable Scene

First responders arriving at the scene were met with a dangerous and chaotic situation. Firefighters who initially attempted to enter the destroyed warehouse were quickly forced to retreat due to the extreme danger of secondary explosions from the remaining pyrotechnics.

The explosion also ignited a fast-moving wildfire that quickly grew to 80 acres. While Cal Fire crews have since managed to contain the blaze, the site of the warehouse remains extremely hazardous. “The fire will take time to cool, and once it does, explosives experts must safely enter the site to assess and secure the area,” the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “We strongly urge everyone to continue avoiding the area for the next several days.”

A Licensed Facility Under Investigation

The cause of the explosion is now the subject of a major investigation. According to KTLA News, the property owner holds an active pyrotechnic license, which makes the catastrophic failure even more mysterious.

“This type of incident is very rare, as facilities like this are required to not only follow our stringent California pyrotechnic requirements but also federal explosive storage requirements,” a Cal Fire official told reporters. The focus of the emergency operation has now shifted to a search and recovery mission, as authorities use drones to comb through the wreckage in the desperate search for the seven missing people.