Today is 25th anniversary of Oakland Hills fire

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Twenty-five years ago Wednesday, the Oakland Hills began to explode into a massive fire. By the time the flames were finally put out, 25 people were dead and more than 1,300 homes incinerated.

Pictures don't do it justice - the fear, confusion and chaos that reigned that day.

Sparks from a smaller grass fire that day were carried into trees above the Caldecott Tunnel. Fueled by northeast Diablo winds, the fire turned into an inferno the next morning, burning so fast and hot residents barely had time to escape.

Firefighters haven't been able to conclusively determine the cause of the small fire that ignited the firestorm.

Fire officials warn California's historic drought has created conditions similar to the 1991 fire.