California officials have lifted the remaining evacuation orders in Orange County after addressing a chemical leak at an aerospace facility. Approximately 50,000 residents were evacuated last week when a pressurized tank began overheating and leaking a toxic chemical. Emergency responders worked to stabilize the situation, allowing around 30,000 people to return home on Monday, with all residents permitted to return by Tuesday evening.
The Orange County Fire Authority confirmed that there is no longer a chemical leak or threat of explosion. This update was verified by fire and county health authorities, law enforcement, and Environmental Protection Agency officials. Orange County Fire Authority interim chief TJ McGovern stated that the incident initially posed risks of a major explosion or catastrophic leak, but a plan was implemented to manage the situation effectively.
Authorities discovered a crack in the tank over the weekend, which helped reduce pressure. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin indicated that the most likely outcome was a low-volume release, manageable by local authorities. The tank contained an estimated 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a toxic substance used in plastics production.
In a separate incident, a chemical tank explosion at a paper mill in Longview, Washington, resulted in one death and nine missing persons.