On Wednesday, seven people remained unaccounted for as investigators and fire crews worked diligently to assess the hazards at the site of multiple fireworks explosions that devastated a pyrotechnics warehouse in rural Yolo County. The Esparto Fire Protection District reported a persistent threat in the area near County Roads 23 and 86A, where the fire ignited just after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, leading to what fire officials described as “numerous spot fires” around the warehouse property.
The area surrounding the incident remained cordoned off as firefighters, Yolo County sheriff’s deputies, and state explosives investigators combed through the wreckage for victims and clues. Family members of the missing individuals maintained a vigil since Tuesday night, staying as close to the scene as authorities would allow, anxiously seeking updates on their loved ones who were present at the warehouse that fateful evening.
Among those anxiously awaiting news was Syanna Ruiz, who is pregnant and reported that her boyfriend, 18-year-old Jesus Ramos, was working his first day at the company when he disappeared. With tears in her eyes, Ruiz stood alongside the relatives of other missing individuals at a sheriff’s checkpoint outside the Dollar General along Highway 16, approximately a mile north of the blast site. She shared that Ramos had taken the job to save money for their upcoming baby and identified two other individuals still unaccounted for: Ramos’ brother, Johnny Ramos, and his stepbrother, Junior Menendez.
“They were all three incredible men who had so much coming for them,” Ruiz expressed. “I’m just praying to God that some way, somehow, they’re OK, that they’re just unable to communicate with us at the moment.” Authorities informed the families that they could expect an update by Saturday as investigators continued to sift through the wreckage.
The main blaze reached an alarming 78 acres before crews successfully halted its forward progression by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Evacuation orders remain in effect for the Oakdale Fire, which has damaged or destroyed several structures and created shockwaves felt by homes and vehicles within a 10-mile radius. The explosion produced fireballs from ignited pyrotechnics, sending a plume of smoke visible from Vacaville, Woodland, and Sacramento before sundown. The site of the explosions is located in far western Yolo County, about a mile south of the town of Esparto and approximately 30 miles west of Sacramento.
While Esparto fire officials reported a reduced risk in the area, they emphasized that the threat still exists, necessitating the continuation of evacuation orders. The evacuation zones include MAD063-A and MAD149-B, with the Yolo County Public Library in Esparto, located at 17065 Yolo Ave., serving as an evacuation center and cooling zone for displaced residents.
Although officials did not disclose the name of the business involved in the explosion, public records revealed that the property on County Road 23 was operated by Devastating Pyrotechnics LLC, a San Francisco-based company recognized for staging large-scale fireworks displays throughout California and the U.S. Authorities confirmed that the business held an active pyrotechnic license with the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
During a news conference, Esparto Fire Chief Curtis Lawrence refrained from providing specific details about the property at 26450 County Road 23. He described the situation as a “complex and ongoing incident” and directed questions regarding the cause and regulatory oversight to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The parcel at the heart of the incident included both residential and commercial structures, with records indicating that one building served as the address for both Devastating Pyrotechnics and its operator, Craig Cutright, age 60.
Dramatic footage of the explosions dominated local newscasts and social media platforms on Tuesday night. Live aerial footage from KCRA captured the moment one of the buildings erupted into a fireball, prompting real-time reactions from anchors. In a joint statement, officials from the city of Marysville, the city of Yuba City, and Sutter and Yuba counties acknowledged the incident and confirmed that fireworks intended for their upcoming Independence Day celebrations were destroyed in the blaze. Devastating Pyrotechnics was also contracted with several other municipalities across the capital region and Northern California, with the status of those shows currently unclear.
“Devastating Pyrotechnics has been a trusted partner and a cherished part of our regional fireworks celebrations,” officials stated. “This tragic incident is a sobering reminder of the many hands behind the scenes who help create joy for others.” Local officials are now exploring alternative plans for July 4 celebrations but could not confirm if the fireworks portion of the events would proceed.
Esparto Fire officials revealed that drones are being utilized to assess hazards and assist in the ongoing investigation. An interagency operational briefing is scheduled, and fire officials are appealing to the public for any video or photos taken from the area before or after the explosion to aid investigators. The Office of the State Fire Marshal, a division of Cal Fire, underscored that incidents like this are rare due to stringent licensing standards. However, the agency confirmed that they would investigate whether activities at the site adhered to both state and federal regulations.
Cal Fire spokesperson Jason Clay indicated that the investigation would be “lengthy.” Authorities have stated that the area remains too hazardous for crews to search for the seven missing individuals. “The risk is just too high,” Lawrence asserted. “It’s a once-in-a-career type of incident.”
Lawrence noted that the all-volunteer department responded within two minutes of the explosion and has since utilized drone footage to identify large pieces of shrapnel and building debris scattered across the site. His current priority is to minimize the evacuation zone footprint to allow residents to return home, a move that has raised concerns among families still awaiting news about their missing loved ones.
Ruiz, standing with other family members during an afternoon briefing, criticized the response. “You guys should be more worried about finding the people first and then worrying about the people when evacuating,” she voiced. “Those are people who possibly lost their lives because of you guys not doing your job.” In response, the Esparto chief acknowledged the challenges of the situation, stating that personnel were doing their utmost to manage the crisis.
This story was originally published on July 2, 2025, at 11:33 AM.
