Oakland Hills fire now at 50% containment with hundreds still under evacuation orders
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- A wind-fueled brush fire Friday damaged at least two structures and forced hundreds to evacuate. Forward progress has been stopped, and firefighters are hoping to have the fire under control by Saturday night.
PREVIOUS STORY: Oakland Hills fire forces hundreds to evacuate, damages at least 2 homes, officials say
Oakland firefighters said Saturday morning that the fire is at 50% containment. At least 15 acres burned.
Some people have been allowed to return to their homes but the area of Campus Drive and at the top of the ridge are still under evacuation orders due to the heavy winds. Oakland's fire chief says he's hoping to have everyone back in their homes by Saturday night.
TIMELINE: Red Flag Warning in effect through this evening
Crews are working to quickly extinguish many hot spots as the elevated temperatures and heavy winds are still a big concern. There are about 60 firefighters on site.
Firefighters are concerned about trees that suffered significant damage falling while crews work in the area.
The fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. burning near the intersection of Mountain Blvd. and Keller Ave. which is a little over a mile away from the Oakland Zoo.
VIDEO: 5-alarm brush fire damages Oakland Hills homes, 33 years after firestorm
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
During a news conference Friday evening, Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington said that 500 residents were evacuated.
Evacuation orders have been issued for the following zones:
- OKL-E176 - Ridgemont/Caballo Hills - Campus Dr, Stoneridge Ct, Crystal Ridge Ct.
- OKL-E177 - Sequoyah - Keller Ave, Campus Dr, Canyon Oaks Dr.
- OKL-E203 - Caballo Hills - Keller Ave, Mountain Blvd.
Evacuations have been lifted for the following zones:
- OKL-E179- Ridgemont/Caballo Hills/Monte Vista Villas - Leona Dr, Old Quarry Loop
- OKL-E178 - Ridgemont/Caballo Hills - Campus Dr, Ridgemont Dr.
- OKL-E204 - Sequoyah - Keller Ave, Mountain Blvd.
An evacuation center was set up at Burckhalter Elementary School.
Fire officials say crews are now going through the neighborhood to see if it's safe for residents to return to their homes.
This fire comes nearly 33 years to the date after the deadly Oakland Hills firestorm.
On Oct. 19, 1991, the Tunnel Fire tore through the Oakland Hills killing 25 people and destroying nearly 3,500 homes.
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