California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on May 23, 2026, in Orange County due to a chemical leak at an aerospace facility. The incident involves overheated tanks containing methyl methacrylate, a flammable chemical, which poses a risk of explosion. Emergency response efforts have led to the evacuation of approximately 40,000 residents in Garden Grove, where local responders have been attempting to cool the tanks since May 21.
Craig Covey, incident commander for the Orange County Fire Authority, stated that responders are considering options to manage the situation, both of which could endanger the local community. Covey emphasized the importance of public safety and the goal of preventing further leakage that could impact homes and the environment.
The state has engaged experts to explore alternative solutions to mitigate the incident. Newsom's proclamation allows for additional emergency resources and authorities to assist in the response, including the use of state-owned properties for sheltering evacuated residents.