PRESS RELEASE

The Yolo County Superior Court has released the Civil Grand Jury report regarding the July 1, 2025, Oakdale Fire incident.

Yolo County recognizes that this incident had a profound impact on the Esparto community. The County extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the seven individuals that lost their lives. The Board of Supervisors understands why residents are seeking answers and is committed to the safety of our community, to fully understanding what occurred, and to ensuring accountability moving forward.

The Civil Grand Jury is an independent body of citizen volunteers appointed by the Court to evaluate local government operations, promote transparency, and identify opportunities for improvement. Its findings and recommendations are administrative in nature and should not be confused with criminal investigations or potential charges, which are handled separately.

Several reviews related to this incident are underway or have been completed by partner agencies. These include investigations by CalFire and the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, which are focused on cause, origin, and potential criminal accountability. Together, these efforts will evaluate far more information than was available to the Civil Grand Jury and provide a more complete understanding of the circumstances surrounding this incident.

While the Civil Grand Jury report raises important issues related to communication, coordination, and emergency response, it represents one part of a broader, ongoing process. Yolo County will carefully review the report and ensure its response within the 90-day legal timeframe is complete, accurate, and grounded in the full set of facts.

The Board of Supervisors respectfully disagrees with the report’s suggestion that the County does not take code enforcement seriously. While funding levels have varied historically, the Board has consistently supported and funded the County’s code enforcement program in recent (compared to previous) years and continues to recognize the essential role it plays in protecting community health and safety.

Consistent with this commitment, the County has initiated internal reviews of its processes, including code enforcement procedures, and continues to work closely with local fire agencies and regional partners to strengthen coordination and communication. Since the Oakdale Fire, Yolo County has taken steps to improve overall preparedness, and additional actions will be identified as part of the County’s ongoing evaluation.

In addition, the Board of Supervisors will receive an overview at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, April 14 regarding limited building permit exemptions for agricultural buildings, permitting processes, and related policies and procedures to help inform future improvements and Board direction.

At the state level, legislation such as Senate Bill 828 (SB 828) is currently being considered to strengthen coordination, permitting, and oversight of fireworks activities across state and local agencies. Among other improvements, the bill would give local agencies the opportunity to validate land use compatibility as part of the state licensing process, closing a significant gap in the current regulatory framework. Yolo County will continue to monitor these efforts as part of the broader discussion on improving safety and accountability.

The County’s review of the Grand Jury report is ongoing. Yolo County will provide a formal written response to the Civil Grand Jury report within the required 90-day timeframe, outlining actions taken or planned in response to its findings and recommendations and, where warranted, respectfully challenging conclusions that are speculative or otherwise unfounded. Updates will be shared with the public as more information becomes available.