A fast-moving fire fueled by strong winds damaged at least seven homes in a hillside neighborhood in Oakland on Friday, prompting the evacuation of over 500 residents. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, but the blaze caused significant damage to several properties, with at least one home being a total loss.
The fire was first reported around 1:30 p.m. in the Oakland hills area, with winds ranging from calm breezes to gusts of up to 40 mph. The inferno quickly spread, reaching 13 acres within three hours before firefighters were able to contain its advance by 4 p.m.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and red flag warnings for fire danger were issued across various parts of California due to the extreme weather conditions. A major utility shut off power in 19 counties to mitigate the risk of wildfires as a result of the hot, dry 'diablo wind' that was prevalent in the region.
Meanwhile, in Southern California, another brush fire was reported in the Rolling Heights area of Los Angeles County. Firefighters worked to prevent the 5-acre blaze from reaching nearby homes, with no evacuations ordered at the time of reporting.
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for several regions, including Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire, and the San Bernardino Mountains, due to the Santa Ana winds that were expected to bring dry and gusty conditions to the area.
While the winds in the Los Angeles region were not as strong as in Northern California, gusts of up to 60 mph were recorded in the Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains. In contrast, parts of Lake Tahoe experienced light snowfall, with sub-freezing temperatures expected overnight.
As the weather conditions continue to pose a threat, residents are advised to stay vigilant and follow safety guidelines to prevent further incidents and ensure their well-being.
