Evacuation zone reduced with threat of massive explosion eliminated at Orange County chemical tank

At a press conference on Monday evening, Orange County Fire Authority officials announced that the evacuation zone for the chemical tank crisis unfolding in Garden Grove has been significantly reduced.

OCFA shared the new map in a post on social media. Approximately 65% of the impacted residents are now able to return home.

The new map barriers include Orangewood Avenue to the north, Dale Street to the east, Knott Street to the west and Garden Grove Boulevard to the south.

Garden Grove Boulevard will restore flows of traffic in the eastbound and westbound directions. All off- and on-ramps of the 22 Freeway will also remain open.

Orange County officials said the new, reduced evacuation zone takes into consideration the risk of a potential plume or fire at the tank.

In order to further reduce the evacuation zone or eliminate it completely, OCFA Chief Craig Covey said crews need to continue to observe a trend of decreasing temperatures inside the tank. That's what will decrease the risk of fire.

Officials said a high police visibility will remain in the area.

Evacuation shelters will remain open for the approximately 16,000 residents still within the reduced evacuation zone.

Fire and law enforcement agencies are re-evaluating evacuation zones following the elimination of a potential catastrophic explosion threat at the Garden Grove chemical tank, officials said.

Despite the development, officials urged the public not to re-enter affected areas in the current evacuation zones.

Officials said more information will be provided during a press conference scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at the Incident Command Post in Los Alamitos.

Although the threat of a massive catastrophic explosion was eliminated, the crisis is not averted and there is still a chance of a significantly smaller explosion or leak.

GKN Aerospace, the company that owns and operates the facility with toxic chemical tank in crisis, released a statement Monday saying it is working with officials to mitigate a risk of a leak.

On Sunday, a team from GKN worked with OCFA to removed external insulation from the tank in order to help cooldown the chemicals inside.

Read the full GKN statement below:

"During the evening of May 24, technical specialists working for the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove conducted a joint operation with Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) to assess the storage tank more closely. The team safely and successfully removed external insulation material from the tank in order to help advance efforts to cool its contents. This operation followed several days of careful monitoring and work to stabilize the tank, in conjunction with the dedicated team of experts on-site.

"We are continuing to work around the clock with the OCFA, the EPA and all relevant federal, state and local agencies to mitigate the ongoing risk of a leak. We remain extremely thankful for their dedication and hard work.

"We apologize for the ongoing disruption this incident is causing and our priority remains its safe resolution, so that residents can return to their homes as quickly as possible. Please continue to follow all instructions issued by local authorities and emergency personnel at this time."

President Trump has signed a federal emergency declaration for the Garden Grove district, according to Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen and Congressman Derek Tran.

President Trump has signed a federal emergency declaration for the Garden Grove district, according to Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen and Congressman Derek Tran.