In a post to X, Orange County Fire Authority Interim Chief TJ McGovern said the discovery still needs validating, but if confirmed, it could alter the strategy as crews search for a solution to the crisis.
The crisis, entering its fourth day on Sunday, remained without a clear solution as a tank estimated to contain 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate continued to leak at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove.
"California doesn't wait for disaster to unfold, we act early to protect lives and communities," Newsom said. "Working together with our local and federal partners, we're strengthening our ability to respond quickly and effectively in Garden Grove and across the surrounding communities and ensuring that first responders have the resources they need to keep people safe."
OCFA Incident Commander and Division Chief Craig Covey said on Saturday that the temperature inside the tank was rising at a rate of about one degree per hour. That was contrary to the agency's thinking on Friday, just hours after the leak caused the first evacuation orders on Thursday night.
"That may avoid the two concerns that we all had," he said. "One was an explosion, the other was a leak of liquid material vaporizing into a toxic fume, a toxic plume."
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)"There are literally two options left remaining: One, the tank fails and spills a total of about [6,000] to 7,000 gallons of very bad chemicals into the parking lot and that area," Covey said. "Or two, the tank goes into a thermal runaway and blows up, affecting the tanks that are around it that have fuel or chemicals in them as well."
"Letting this thing just fail and blow up is unacceptable to us," Covey said. "Our goal is to find something and not allow that to happen."
Accountability became a focus of the crisis on Saturday night. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer announced that his office had launched an investigation into the cause of the tank's failure, asking whistleblowers in the community to come forward with information.
Spitzer used words like "irresponsible" and "horrific" to describe the situation. Some evacuated residents agreed, as The X-Law Group P.C. and Presidio Law Firm LLP filed a class-action lawsuit against GKN Aerospace, seeking accountability for the disruption and potential health risks.
"We are acutely aware of the uncertainty this incident is causing and sincerely apologise for the ongoing disruption to the local community," the statement reads. "Our priority remains the safe resolution of this incident, so that residents can return to their homes as quickly as possible."
Potential blast radius
Though difficult to read in the image provided, officials said that the innermost circle would see major structural damage, while the secondary ring could see moderate damage. The third ring would possibly see some damage, while the orange and yellow streaks show where flash fires or dangerous vapors could be released. The large red-shaded area is the evacuation zone, and the surrounding yellow-shaded spots on the map are non-hazardous areas where residents could smell the chemical, but it wouldn't be harmful.
A map of the potential blast radius if the tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove were to explode. Orange County Fire AuthorityAir monitoring is ongoing, and drones are monitoring the temperature of the tank, officials said.
"In an uncontrolled environment with a leak, you can potentially have a lot in the atmosphere, and any flash or spark or even temperature can cause what is known as a runaway reaction," said USC Assistant Professor of Chemistry Elias Picazo. "Where, when you begin the polymerization, it's exothermic, meaning that the reaction releases heat. ... Heat initiates the reaction, but the reaction releases heat, and so you get what we call 'runaway,' where it's uncontrolled. It can lead to, yes, fires, explosions, where pressure really builds up very quickly."
"If you are not in the evacuation zone, we don't expect any health impact," she said. "If you were told to evacuate, please evacuate."
A representative with the Environmental Protection Agency also said that since Friday, they have deployed 24 stationary monitors that work around the clock to monitor the air, and that speciality equipment revealed no gas had leaked from the tank.
When did the Garden Grove chemical leak start?
The chemical in the industrial tank initially stayed at the same temperature, officials said. However, about four hours after firefighters arrived, the temperature rose, causing a relief valve and sprinkler system to activate near the tank. Firefighters said the sprinkler safety system is designed to cool off the tank if it starts leaking.
GARDEN GROVE, CALIFORNIA - MAY 23: An aerial view of water being sprayed onto an overheated 34,000-gallon tank at GKN Aerospace on May 23, 2026 in Garden Grove, California. A malfunctioning tank at an aerospace plant has the potential of a chemical leak or explosion. An incident at GKN Aerospace, a manufacturer of components for commercial and military aircraft, triggered the facility's automatic sprinkler system. Investigators are expected to examine the cause of the hazardous leak once the site has been fully stabilized. Apu Gomes / Getty ImagesThe cause of the leak remains under investigation. No injuries have been reported.
Orange County evacuations
Western border expanded to Valley View St.Northern border expanded to Ball Rd.Southern border expanded to Trask Ave.Eastern border expanded to Dale St.
There was no estimated timetable as to when the evacuation orders would be lifted.
Garden Grove: Garden Grove Sports & Recreation Center, 13641 Deodara Dr.
Fountain Valley (FULL): Mountain Square Regional Park-Freedom Hall at 16801 Euclid Street
La Palma (FULL): John F. Kennedy High School at 8281 Walker Street
Huntington Beach (FULL): Golden West College at 15744 Goldenwest Street
GARDEN GROVE, UNITED STATES - MAY 22: Garden Grove residents who were evacuated to the Garden Grove Sports & Recreation Center due to the Chemical Leak at GKN Aerospace Transparency building, embrace one another as they await updates on the current situation in Garden Grove, California, United States on May 22, 2026. Jon Putman/Anadolu via Getty ImagesWorld Central Kitchen, a not-for-profit organization that feeds people impacted by disasters, arrived to Garden Grove on Sunday to support evacuees, according to a post to X.
Orange County public information hotline (714) 628-7085.
Politician reaction
Orange County Supervisors Janet Nguyen, who represents Garden Grove, and Vicente Sarmiento have both been active in helping open additional evacuation centers for affected residents. Nguyen said that the Orange County Sheriff's Department had patrols in place for the neighborhoods that had been evacuated to protect them from potential looting.
"Amid the developing situation in Orange County, I urge residents in the impacted area to stay alert, follow all evacuation orders immediately, and monitor official channels for critical updates," Bonta's statement said. "California's price gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on housing, gas, food, and other essential supplies."
Officials urged anyone with more information leading up to the incident, operations at the facility, maintenance of the tanks and systems or any other relevant information on GKN Aerospace to email tipster@ocdistrictattorney.gov, call the tip hotline at 714-347-8714 or fill out the anonymous form on their website.
Spitzer spoke with CBS LA about the investigation into GKN Aerospace on Saturday, asking any citizens living around the facility or whistleblowers working at the company to come forward.
Cancelations and closures
City officials said that the annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival would move forward as scheduled, but that the 5k marathon and parade on Saturday were canceled.
In a post to its website, Disneyland said the park's operation is completely unaffected by the situation.
A spokesperson for Knott's Berry Farm also shared a statement on the situation. They said that the park would remain open and, if necessary, a safety team has been trained for emergency responses to help guide guests from the park.
Services for evacuees
Several services were being provided for the nearly 50,000 people forced to evacuate from their homes and first responders dedicated to the ongoing incident.
Uber has offered free rides to evacuees for up to $40 as they travel to temporary shelters. Those wishing to take advantage of the offer were advised to use the promo code "OCSAFE26" in the Wallet section of their Uber app to request a free ride to the shelter of their choosing. The offer is valid for two trips per rider through Monday, Uber officials said.
Fountain Valley, CA - May 23, 2026: People's belongings are spread out on cots in the Freedom Hall, after taking refuge due to the chemical leak at GKN Aerospace Transparency building, on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Fountain Valley, CA. Tens of thousands told to evacuate after a 34,000-gallon tank of methyl methacrylate leaked at an aerospace plastics facility, sending potentially toxic vapors into the air. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Allen J. SchabenThe Del Taco located at 11070 Garden Grove Boulevard was also offering free meals to first responders in uniform "as a thank-you for their efforts," officials said in a news release.
Southern California communities monitor the situation
"Based on the latest update from Orange County officials, including current wind conditions, there is not a current threat to LA County communities," said a statement shared on the Los Angeles County X account. "LA County officials are continuing to coordinate with public health, emergency management, and hazardous materials teams."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement that she's closely monitoring the situation in Orange County.
In Riverside County, fire department officials said that there were no impacts that required proactive actions, but that they were closely following along.
San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services officials said that they were in contact with Orange County Fire Authority and emergency management officials to maintain situational awareness, but that there was no direct plume threat and that gas would disperse many miles from the county.
Hence then, the article about efforts to stop california chemical leak in orange county on new trajectory officials say as 50 000 remain evacuated was published today ( ) and is available on CBS sacramento ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Efforts to stop California chemical leak in Orange County on new trajectory, officials say, as 50,000 remain evacuated )
Also on site :