Fast-Moving Fire in Oakland Forces Evacuations and Causes Damage

 

A rapidly spreading fire in the Oakland hills on Friday led to the evacuation of approximately 500 residents and resulted in the destruction of two homes, with several others suffering damage, according to officials.

Oakland's Fire Chief Damon Covington reported that the fire ignited around 1:30 PM, with calls coming in about flames in front of a residence. Fire crews quickly responded, but the blaze intensified due to strong winds, reaching gusts of up to 40 mph in some areas.

“The wind was whipping,” Covington noted, describing the challenging conditions faced by firefighters.

Michael Hunt, a spokesperson for the fire department, stated that one of the homes was severely damaged while another sustained minor fire-related damage. Fewer than ten additional homes were affected by smoke and water damage. The fire, which began near the 580 Freeway, disrupted traffic as residents attempted to evacuate, and smoke spread over the city of approximately 440,000 people.

The flames rapidly spread through nearby eucalyptus trees, quickly growing to cover about 13 acres within three hours. By 4 PM, firefighters managed to halt its advance, but numerous personnel remained on the scene to contain the situation.

“We have less than ten homes that have been damaged, and hundreds of homes and structures that were threatened,” Chief Covington said.

This incident brings to mind a devastating fire in 1991 that destroyed nearly 3,000 homes in the area and resulted in the loss of 25 lives. Current red-flag warnings for fire danger have been issued, extending from the central coast through the San Francisco Bay Area and into northern Shasta County.

In response to the fire risk, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) cut power to approximately 16,000 customers across 19 counties in northern and central California. This decision comes amid forecasts of strong “diablo winds,” known for their hot, dry gusts, which could lead to sustained winds of up to 35 mph and even higher in mountainous regions.

Hunt mentioned that the fire originated as a vegetation fire near the freeway before moving uphill. As a precaution, hundreds of residents were ordered to evacuate from two streets: Campus Drive and Crystal Ridge Court. A local elementary school was designated as a temporary shelter for those displaced.

PG&E warned that about 20,000 customers might experience power outages in the coming days, dependent on weather conditions.

Meteorologist Brayden Murdock from the National Weather Service (NWS) indicated that this could be one of the most significant wind events of the year. Residents were urged to exercise caution during this period.

Additionally, targeted power outages could also affect southern California due to anticipated Santa Ana winds. These winds, known for their dry and warm characteristics, could exacerbate fire risks in the region.

While winds in greater Los Angeles are expected to be less intense than those in northern areas, gusts between 25 and 40 mph could still pose challenges, particularly in the mountains and foothills.

With the dry conditions and strong winds, meteorologist Mike Wofford cautioned that any sparks could lead to rapid fire spread, further emphasizing the need for vigilance during this critical time.