Following the discovery of human remains one day prior, controlled explosive disposal was the latest activity at the Oakdale Fire site Saturday, after a massive explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Esparto rocked the community earlier in the week.

“As part of ongoing recovery and investigation efforts at the Oakdale Fire site, authorized personnel will conduct a controlled explosive disposal today (Saturday),” a statement from Yolo County read. “This planned and carefully managed operation is being conducted by CAL FIRE, the ATF National Response Team, and regional bomb squad partners to safely remove hazardous materials identified at the scene.

“Residents may hear loud noises or notice smoke and odors in the area during this time. This is expected and part of the controlled process. The operation is anticipated to continue through approximately 3:30 p.m. There is no immediate threat to public safety, and all necessary safety protocols are in place.”

Earlier in the week, the Yolo County Coroner’s Division confirmed the finding of human remains during a coordinated recovery operation that took place Friday morning in search of the seven people who were reported missing after the initial blast.

According to a joint press release from the Esparto Fire Protection District, the Yolo County Sherrif’s Office and Yolo County Office of Emergency Services, the Coroner’s Office has been in contact with the families of those previously reported missing and will continue to provide them with timely updates as information becomes available, according to the release.

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.

Yolo County remains in close coordination with the Esparto Fire Protection District, Cal Fire — Office of the State Fire Marshal, and all other involved agencies as the investigation and recovery efforts continue.

The Esparto Fire Protection District requested arson and bomb investigators from Cal Fire — Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to lead the origin and cause investigation. That investigation remains ongoing.

The explosion occurred Tuesday at approximately 5:52 p.m. at a fireworks storage warehouse in Esparto, located near County Road 86A and County Road 23, triggering a series of fires and blasts that were heard and felt as far away as Vacaville and Woodland.

According to a KRCA 3 Investigates report, the facility was using a property that was not zoned for fireworks storage but only for agricultural use. To store anything other than agricultural equipment, the property owner would have needed a conditional use permit from the Yolo County Planning Commission.

According to KCRA’s reporting, planning staff confirmed no such permit exists.

The warehouse was managed by Devastating Pyrotechnics, a company with headquarters in both San Francisco and Esparto.

In a news release issued Wednesday afternoon, the company said “Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community. We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and emergency personnel. Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation.”