A rapidly spreading fire fueled by strong winds caused damage to at least seven homes in a hillside neighborhood in Oakland on Friday, prompting officials to order the evacuation of over 500 residents. Although no injuries were reported, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao confirmed that six homes were affected, with at least one being completely destroyed.
Emergency Response
According to Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington, emergency calls about the fire came in around 1:30 p.m., as it quickly escalated. Fire crews arrived to find the blaze growing rapidly, with wind speeds fluctuating between calm and gusts of up to 40 mph during the heightened fire risk conditions. “The wind was whipping,” Covington remarked.
Impact on Traffic
The fire broke out near the 580 Freeway, a major route connecting the San Francisco Bay Area to central California, leading to traffic congestion as residents evacuated the area and smoke drifted over the city of 440,000. The flames quickly spread through eucalyptus trees, causing the fire to jump across the roadway, according to Covington. Within three hours, the blaze expanded to 13 acres. By around 4 p.m., firefighters managed to halt its progress, although many crews remained on the scene to continue battling the fire.
Cause of the Fire
The cause of the fire in Oakland has not yet been determined. In response to the increased fire danger, authorities issued red flag warnings across a large area of California, extending from the central coast through the Bay Area and into northern Shasta County, close to the Oregon border.
Utility Power Shutoffs
A California utility company cut power in 19 counties in northern and central California due to the onset of strong “Diablo winds,” known for their hot, dry conditions that heighten the risk of wildfires. The fire in the Oakland Hills occurred just a day before the anniversary of the devastating 1991 fire that destroyed nearly 3,000 homes and claimed 25 lives.
Visibility and Traffic Issues
On Friday, smoke from the fire could be seen 2 to 3 miles away. Fire trucks and ambulances faced significant delays in the westbound lanes of the freeway, with sirens blaring as they attempted to navigate through the congestion. Frustrated drivers exited the freeway through on-ramps , while side streets also experienced heavy traffic.
Southern California Fire
Red flag warnings were also issued for areas in Southern California, where another brush fire was advancing toward homes in the Rolling Heights region of Los Angeles County, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The fire was first reported around 3:00 p.m. in the Hacienda Heights hills. Firefighters, both on the ground and in the air, were working to contain the 5-acre blaze and prevent it from reaching nearby residences. As of now, no evacuation orders have been issued.
Power Outages in Northern California
On Friday, approximately 16,000 customers were without power after Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) implemented outages. The “Diablo wind” phenomenon is characterized by extremely dry air, which causes relative humidity levels to drop and makes vegetation more susceptible to igniting. The term “diablo,” meaning “devil” in Spanish, refers to the hot winds that flow from the interior of California toward the coast as high pressure builds over the region.
Wind Forecasts and Risks
According to the National Weather Service, these Diablo winds are expected to sustain speeds of 35 mph in many areas, with gusts possibly exceeding 65 mph on mountaintops. Strong winds are anticipated to persist through part of the weekend. PG&E also stated that around 20,000 customers might experience temporary power outages in the coming days.
Additional Weather Alerts
The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings for the valleys and mountains of Los Angeles County, parts of the Inland Empire, and the San Bernardino Mountains due to Santa Ana winds. These dry, warm, and gusty northeast winds flow from the interior of Southern California toward the coast, reversing the usual onshore flow that brings moist air from the Pacific.
Wind Conditions in Los Angeles Area
In the greater Los Angeles area, winds are expected to be less intense than in northern regions, with gusts of 25 to 40 mph possible in the mountains and foothills, according to meteorologist Mike Wofford from the Los Angeles weather office. The strongest winds were recorded in the Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains, with gusts reaching 45 to 55 mph, and isolated gusts hitting up to 60 mph on Friday.
Snowfall in Lake Tahoe
Meanwhile, light snowfall was reported on some mountaintops around Lake Tahoe overnight, as indicated by the National Weather Service in Reno, Nevada. Near-freezing temperatures are forecast again Friday night into Saturday. Wind sensors on two peaks west of Lake Tahoe recorded winds of 75 and 104 mph on Friday, with strong winds expected to persist overnight before diminishing Saturday morning. The weather service also issued its first freeze warning of the season for the Sierra’s eastern front, effective from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, covering areas from south of Carson City through Reno into Lassen, Sierra, and Plumas counties, where temperatures could drop to the low 20s Fahrenheit.