Highlights
- Oakland brush fire forces 500 residents to evacuate.
- Two homes burned, and several others suffered damage.
- The fire spread quickly due to winds up to 40mph.
- Firefighters stopped the fire’s advancement after it charred 13 acres.
- Red-flag warnings issued for Northern California due to dry winds.
- PG&E cut power to thousands to prevent fire risks.
- Santa Ana winds in Southern California could further increase fire dangers.
A fast-growing brush fire in Oakland caused panic as roughly 500 residents were evacuated on Friday. The fire, fueled by dry winds and scorching heat, burned two homes and damaged several others.
Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington said that the flames quickly spread due to powerful winds, with gusts reaching up to 40mph.
Within hours, the fire scorched 13 acres in the Oakland hills, near the 580 Freeway, affecting traffic and covering the city in smoke.
The blaze began near eucalyptus trees, notorious for spreading wildfires, and it rapidly moved uphill.
Firefighters battled to contain the flames as homes in the path were at risk, reminding many of the deadly 1991 Oakland fire that destroyed nearly 3,000 homes.
Red-flag warnings have been issued for the area, with wind speeds potentially reaching 65mph on mountaintops over the weekend.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that this could be the most significant wind event of the year, increasing the risk of wildfires across Northern and Southern California.
The Oakland blaze, which started as a vegetation fire, damaged at least eight structures.
Thousands of residents across the state could experience power outages as Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) preemptively shut off power to avoid sparking new fires.
Meteorologists also predict powerful Santa Ana winds in Southern California, raising fire risks in the Los Angeles area.
Gusts up to 60mph have been recorded in the Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains, and authorities warn residents to stay cautious during these dangerous weather conditions.
