Record-breaking heatwave to bring scorching 112F to Arizona and Las Vegas - as terrifying wall of fire rips across 14,000 acres of California grassland and residents are forced to flee

The grass fire that began over the weekend in northern California has torched 14,000 acres and forced residents in its path of destruction to flee, as the state and surrounding areas prepare for an intense heat wave this week.

The Corral Fire, which began Saturday afternoon and raged overnight, was 30 percent contained by Sunday afternoon - though it is unclear if that figure shifted or improved going into Monday.

Officials say that gusty winds, hot, dry temperatures, and parched grass created conditions that allowed the devastating fire to spread quickly and easily.

The cause of the fire remains unknown and an investigation is pending.

This comes as Arizona, California, and Las Vegas are bracing temperatures reaching up to 112F in the coming weeks - with figures expected to break records this summer.

The Corral Fire broke out Saturday afternoon in Northern California

It has since enveloped some 14,000 acres of land, made easier to burn by the dry grass, high winds, and elevated temperatures

San Joaquin County officials delivered evacuation orders to 'Areas west of the California Aqueduct, South of Corral Hollow Creek, West to Alameda County and South to Stanislaus County.' 

On Saturday night, San Joaquin officials advised Tracy residents who live closest to the fire to evacuate, and instructed others to be 'ready to leave.'

At least two firefighters have been injured attempting to contain the blaze, according to the Santa Clara California Fire Unit. Both were hospitalized with minor to moderate burns.

Mayor Kevin J Lincoln, of Stockton, a neighboring city, said on Saturday: 'Praying for our Tracy neighbors and first responders.'

There is ample concern that the fire will continue spreading, according to the National Weather Service out of Sacramento.

Extreme heat during the upcoming week may exacerbate already friendly conditions for the fire.

'An Excessive Heat Watch across the Valley and adjacent foothills for Tuesday into Thursday continues with afternoon highs of 95-107˚F forecasted,' said the service.

States in the West, including California, Arizona, and parts of Nevada will experience an intense heatwave this week.

Beginning Tuesday, the California Valley region could see temperatures climb up to 108˚F.

The burning temps will then move to Las Vegas, and stretch all the way down to Lake Havasu, in Arizona.

On Thursday and Friday, temperatures in desert areas, like Vegas, Phoenix, and Palm Springs are expected to hit 112˚F.

Should Vegas hit 110˚F on Thursday, it will mark the earliest day in June that the city has ever been so toasty.

If Phoenix surpasses 111˚F on Thursday, it will break a daily record established eight years ago.

A home burns during the Corral Fire at Bernard and Stearman roads, west of Tracy, California, Saturday, June 1, 2024

The National Weather Service out of Sacramento remains concerned that perpetually high temperatures this week will present the fire with ideal conditions to continue spreading

At least two firefighters have been injured attempting to contain the blaze, according to the Santa Clara California Fire Unit

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection recently suspended all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris - like leaves and branches - in San Joaquin and the surrounding counties.

The suspension, claimed the department, was implemented precisely because of the increased danger of wildfires that exists because of the region's hot and dry conditions.

Since the beginning of 2024, Firefighters in California have already responded to some 1,200 wildfires - and summer begins the height of wildfire season.

Santa Clara Fire Unit Chief Baraka Carter said: 'As the summer heat intensifies, CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit’s commitment and unwavering efforts remain steadfast in safeguarding California’s communities from wildfires.

'By staying vigilant and following fire safety and prevention guidelines, we can work together to mitigate the risk and protect our communities.'

The fire reportedly began on Saturday at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Site 300 on the border of San Joaquin and Alameda counties. 

Site 300 is home to facilities that support the development of explosive materials, as well as hydrodynamic testing. 

Those running the site assess the operational ability of non-nuclear weapon components, and test new conventional explosives to potentially add to the nuclear stockpile.

David Adeh of Modesto stays behind to douse spot fires in his brother's neighborhood west of Tracy, California

Dozens of abandoned cars burned in a scrapyard during Corral Fire in San Joaquin County

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. reported two fire-related power outages Saturday evening.

The first occurred because Cal Fire requested that energy be cut to several lines to ensure the safety of their firefighters. That outage hit roughly 1,600 people.

The second, which impacted about 2,350 customers, was caused by damage to PG&E equipment.

By late Saturday evening, power was restored to all but about 200 customers. No other power outages have been reported.