[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 88 (Friday, May 23, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 1ST ANNIVERSARY OF CORRAL FIRE IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, 
                               CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOSH HARDER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 23, 2025

  Mr. HARDER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise during Wildfire 
Awareness Month to recognize the 1st anniversary of the Corral Fire in 
San Joaquin County, California, and to honor the brave men and women 
who risked their lives to contain this dangerous wildfire.
  My home district of San Joaquin County is no stranger to wildfires--
we are in the midst of a growing megafire crisis, and in 2024 alone we 
saw 9 wildfire incidents that burned nearly 15,000 acres in total. 
Thankfully, these fires were contained due to the quick action and 
selfless heroism of our firefighters, law enforcement, and first 
responders. Just earlier this year, during the historic Los Angeles 
fires, San Joaquin County sent nearly a dozen fire agencies south to 
combat the deadly megafires. Our local agencies never hesitate to 
answer the call, and we owe them a debt of gratitude that words alone 
cannot repay.
  Few incidents better encompass the bravery of our local agencies than 
the 2024 Corral Fire, which burned 14,168 acres, forced the evacuation 
of thousands of homes in the Tracy Hills community, and injured two 
firefighters. This fire burned just miles from my home, and like so 
many families in California's Central Valley, we were deeply alarmed 
and concerned about how this blaze would impact our homes and 
livelihoods.
  But thanks to the work of multiple agencies, this wildfire was fully 
contained in just six days. Nearly 500 personnel battled the blaze from 
across agencies including the California Department of Forestry and 
Fire Protection, Alameda County Fire Department, South San Joaquin 
County Fire Authority, San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office, California 
Highway Patrol, Tracy Police Department, Manteca Fire Department, 
Lathrop-Manteca Fire District, Defense Logistics Agency, and more.
  Not only did the emergency response effort quickly and effectively 
facilitate the evacuation of the Tracy Hills community, serving as a 
model for future evacuation efforts, but their bravery minimized damage 
in the area.
  As a member of the Tracy community, a fifth-generation resident of 
California's Central Valley, and the federal representative for 
California's 9th Congressional District, I want to express my deepest 
gratitude to every member involved directly or indirectly in the 
emergency response to the 2024 Corral Fire.
  At the 1st anniversary of this wildfire, I recommit to doing 
everything in my power to ensure our firefighters and emergency 
responders have the federal support they need and deserve to continue 
keeping our communities safe from these disasters.

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