A five-alarm brush fire near Interstate 580 in the Oakland Hills led to the destruction of multiple homes and prompted an evacuation order on Friday.
The fire ignited in a Mountain Avenue residence in the afternoon and rapidly spread to a nearby Eucalyptus grove, covering 15 acres as the wind intensified. By 7 p.m., the Oakland Fire Department reported the fire was 35% contained, as crews worked to douse hot spots and protect affected areas.
An evacuation order was initially issued for Campus Drive and Crystal Ridge Court but was later expanded to include surrounding neighborhoods, resulting in the evacuation of over 500 residents.
Delane Simms recounted her husband’s narrow escape from their home as the flames got so intense that the front window exploded. “That explosion woke him up, and he was able to get out alive, and that’s what I’m grateful for,” she said, noting that her home was one of two significantly damaged, while several others sustained smoke and water damage.
No injuries have been reported so far, according to firefighters. An evacuation center has been established at Burckhalter Elementary School, although officials have not disclosed the number of evacuees there.
Pamela Jordan, a long-time resident of Oakland Hills, expressed her disbelief at having to evacuate for a fire. “Everybody says you always need to be prepared for a fire, but you won’t be prepared, period,” she said, admitting that she struggled to gather her belongings in the chaos.
The westbound lanes of I-580 were closed for several hours as emergency crews responded to the incident. Over 120 firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze, which was concentrated in the area of Keller Avenue and Mountain Boulevard. Battalion Chief Frank Tijiboy acknowledged that strong winds hindered firefighting efforts, causing the flames to spread rapidly.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and local fire officials provided updates to the community regarding the fire, which is currently under investigation. Authorities are closely monitoring wind patterns and available resources.
A red flag warning remains in effect across the Bay Area due to ongoing dry and windy conditions. The timing of the Oakland Hills fire coincides with the 33rd anniversary of the devastating 1991 Oakland firestorm, which resulted in 25 deaths and extensive destruction. Residents reflected on the somber anniversary and hoped that this fire would not lead to a similar tragedy.