Human remains found amid ruins of Esparto fireworks blast in Yolo County

Yolo County officials confirmed Friday that human remains have been discovered at the site of the Oakdale Fire, a devastating blaze triggered by explosions at a fireworks storage facility Tuesday near Esparto.

Personnel from the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office’s coroner’s division were granted access to the restricted fire zone for the first time Thursday night as firefighters and investigators continued to pour over the site on County Roads 23 and 86A.

“During a coordinated recovery operation, human remains were located,” the joint statement with Esparto Fire Protection District and the Sheriff’s Office said. “At this time, no positive identifications have been made.”

Recovery efforts are expected to continue through the weekend.

Coroner’s officials has been in contact with families of those reported missing since Tuesday’s explosions and will continue providing updates, the statement said.

“Out of respect for the families, the identities of the deceased will not be released publicly until official identification has been made and next of kin have been formally notified.”

Seven people were reported “unaccounted for” following the explosion at the pyrotechnics facility in rural Yolo County, which also destroyed nearby homes and outbuildings and launched spot fires more than a half-mile from the blast.

Among the missing are Jesús and Jhony Ramos Jr., ages 18 and 22, and their brother Joel “Junior” Melendez.

Esparto Fire Chief Curtis Lawrence said ongoing safety hazards posed issues for personnel trying to access and investigate the site. Officials from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have deployed a national response team to assist with the investigation.

This story was originally published July 4, 2025 at 11:35 AM.