Highlights
- Wildfire burns 13 acres in Oakland Hills, California.
- 500 residents evacuated as flames approach homes and I-580 freeway.
- Two homes damaged, one severely, and several others affected by smoke and water.
- Firefighters report 15% containment as they battle hotspots and dry, windy conditions.
- Red flag warning issued, with 40 mph winds increasing wildfire risks in the Bay Area.
- PG&E initiates power shutoffs to 17,500 customers to prevent fire spread.
- Oakland fire crews may take until Saturday evening to fully control the fire.
A wildfire in Oakland, California, which started near Keller Avenue, quickly spread through 13 acres of land on Friday afternoon.
The fire forced the evacuation of 500 residents and caused partial closures of the busy I-580 freeway. As of Friday evening, firefighters reported the blaze was 15% contained.
The fire began as a vegetation fire around 1:30 p.m., sending clouds of smoke billowing over the freeway. Firefighters moved swiftly to control the flames, which threatened homes in the Oakland hills near Keller Avenue and Mountain Boulevard.
Two homes were damaged, with one significantly burned, and about 10 others affected by smoke and water.
Over 200 fire personnel were deployed to contain the fire, battling the flames and working on hot spots.
The Oakland Fire Department cautioned that it might take until Saturday evening to fully extinguish the fire due to ongoing dry and windy conditions.
Wind and Fire: Red Flag Warning Issued
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the Bay Area, forecasting winds as high as 40 miles per hour, which increase the risk of wildfires.
These winds, combined with dry conditions, have raised concerns about fire spread, prompting Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to initiate Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) for thousands of residents in high-risk areas.
I-580 Freeway Closure: Smoke Fills the Air
The fire prompted the temporary closure of westbound lanes of I-580 as smoke filled the air, but the freeway has since reopened.
Firefighters and local authorities remain on high alert, closely monitoring wind patterns and weather forecasts to prevent further damage.
No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
