Officials in Southern California are in a desperate race against time to cool a massive tank filled with a toxic chemical that is currently at risk of an explosive failure. The situation remains volatile as the temperature of the methyl methacrylate, commonly known as MMA, continues to climb, forcing tens of thousands of residents to abandon their homes for safety. Per CNN, about 50,000 people in Orange County have been told to pack up and leave, with many spending their Memorial Day weekend in hotels, shelters, or staying with family and friends far from the danger zone. While popular tourist spots like Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland sit nearby, they aren’t currently included in the evacuation area. Emergency crews attempt to prevent a catastrophe even as California has declared a state of emergency. On Thursday, the tank at the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove began to overheat, releasing vapors. Orange County Fire Authority Interim Fire Chief TJ McGovern noted that the facility activated relief valves and sprinklers to drop the temperature, but the valves became “gummed up.” Things began to spiral from there This failure has allowed the internal temperature to creep higher, reaching as high as 90 degrees. Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief and Unified Incident Commander Craig Covey explained that the chemical’s “happy place” is 50 degrees, and the rising heat could lead to a leak or a massive explosion. NY Post reported that the situation is being treated as a “worst-case scenario,” which is the most difficult event Covey has faced in his 32-year career. Officials are working with an oblong blast zone map that outlines three distinct rings of potential damage: severe, moderate, and light. #Repost from @countyofla Los Angeles County agencies are aware of and actively monitoring the hazardous materials incident involving an unstable chemical storage tank at a manufacturing facility in Garden Grove.The Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Health Care… pic.twitter.com/Y10g8eElNT— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) May 24, 2026 Beyond the physical blast risk, the map also includes hazard zones colored red, orange, and yellow to account for potential chemical releases. The red zone is the most dangerous, representing a flammable area where flash fires could occur because of chemical reactions, while the orange zone poses inhalation risks. Efforts to stabilize the tank have been complex. Crews have been trying to solidify the chemical from the outside inward, a process Orange County Fire Authority Captain Steve Concialdi described as being like an ice cube freezing. “There are literally two options left remaining," Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Division Chief Craig Covey said. "One, the tank fails and spills a total of about 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of very bad chemicals into the parking lot in that area, or two, the tank goes into a… https://t.co/fT7uQRiUIM— Oddland66 (@Oddland66) May 23, 2026 He acknowledged that the process might not be successful, telling reporters, “The tank could crack and start spilling out all that 7,000 gallons of chemical, or there could be a catastrophic explosion.” Despite these efforts, the internal temperature has been rising by an average of one degree per hour. Exposure to MMA can cause dizziness, nausea, and significant irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Like any chemical exposure, it can be very dangerous. Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the Orange County Health Officer, noted that while the chemical can have a fruit-like smell, the presence of the odor doesn’t necessarily mean a person has been exposed to dangerous levels. oh hey there’s a chemical tank about to explode in Orange County— BlackRedGuard ☭ ‍ (@OGBlackRedGuard) May 24, 2026 Still, some residents have reported feeling unwell. Stanton resident Van Ly shared, “I forgot to close the window during the Thursday night, and I regret it. My throat and the inside of my nose feel sore, and my wife felt dizzy Friday night.” To manage the displacement of thousands, the Red Cross has opened multiple shelters. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to provide additional resources, stating, “We are mobilizing every state resource available to support local responders and make sure the community has what they need to stay safe.” I’m proclaiming a state of emergency in Orange County as California continues to respond to the hazardous chemical incident in Garden Grove.@Cal_OES has been mobilized for over 24 hours and state agencies are supporting impacted communities to protect public safety, and assist… pic.twitter.com/pOLZWkX0vD— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) May 23, 2026 The facility itself has a history of regulatory issues. In November 2020, an inspection by the South Coast Air Quality Management District revealed that the site failed to maintain required emission records and operated equipment without proper permits. GKN Aerospace eventually paid a civil penalty of roughly $900,000 as part of a settlement. The company has since issued a statement apologizing to residents and businesses, noting that they are “working tirelessly with all relevant experts to resolve this situation as safely as possible.” With Orange County Fire Authority serving as lead agency, the Trump EPA is deployed to Garden Grove, California, working closely with all levels of gov’t responding to the GKN Aerospace methyl methacrylate tank chemical release. The tank will fail, but much work is being done to… pic.twitter.com/u6V3Iu1LFI— Lee Zeldin (@epaleezeldin) May 24, 2026 As the holiday weekend continues, authorities are urging those who haven’t left to prioritize their safety. “People need to get out of their houses and get into a safe space because when this thing goes, depending on the wind direction it’s going, we cannot control the weather,” Covey said.