California firefighters made significant progress Sunday in containing a wind-driven wildfire that scorched thousands of acres near Tracy, 60 miles east of San Francisco.

The fire, which began Saturday afternoon in grassy hills managed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, burned down one home and forced evacuations.

By Sunday evening, the Corral Fire had burned about 22 square miles and was 50% contained. Evacuation orders affecting thousands, including parts of Tracy, were lifted Sunday evening.

Despite the fire burning close to homes, calmer winds and milder weather helped prevent further spread.

Two firefighters sustained minor to moderate burns but are expected to recover fully, NBC News reported.

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was not under immediate threat, and its emergency operations center remained active as a precaution.

The wildfire caused the temporary closure of two major highways, including an interstate connecting the San Francisco Bay Area to San Joaquin County, but they reopened by Sunday afternoon.

Written by B.C. Begley