October 19th 2024.
The city of Oakland was bustling with activity as crews worked tirelessly to contain a five-alarm fire that had broken out in the hills. Despite their efforts, the fire had already burned through 13 acres and two homes before being brought under control by Friday afternoon. It had started near Mountain Boulevard and Maynard Avenue, close to the busy Interstate 580. But thankfully, the hardworking firefighters managed to stop the flames from spreading any further.
The fire posed a serious threat to the surrounding neighborhoods, with homes on Maynard Avenue, Sanford Street, and Greenridge and Canyon Oaks Drive all in danger. In order to keep residents safe, around 500 people were evacuated from Altura Place, Campus Drive, Crystal Ridge Court, and Rifle Lane. Although further evacuations were called off later that night, an evacuation order remained in effect for the affected areas.
As the firefighters continued to work throughout the night, PG&E crews also joined in to inspect the area and ensure that it was safe for residents to return home. However, due to strong winds and lingering flames, it was not yet possible for people to go back to their homes. The Fire Department's spokesman, Mike Hunt, assured the public that they were doing their best to allow everyone to return by the end of the day.
Despite the challenging conditions, around 60 to 70 firefighters remained on the scene on Saturday, supported by CalFire personnel and aircraft. Fire Chief Damon Covington addressed the media and provided an update on the situation. He expressed gratitude for the containment of the fire, but also emphasized that there was still much work to be done. He asked for patience from the affected community and assured them that the firefighters were doing everything they could to ensure their safety.
Unfortunately, the fire had started on a day that held a dark significance for the city of Oakland. It was just one day shy of the 33rd anniversary of the devastating 1991 Oakland-Berkeley hills fire that claimed many lives and destroyed thousands of homes. This incident served as a stark reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and creating defensible spaces to protect against such disasters.
Among the affected residents was Delane Sims, whose house on the corner of Maynard Avenue and Mountain Boulevard had sustained significant damage. Fortunately, her husband had managed to escape before the flames reached their home. Others, like Roderick Spikes and Amanda Davis, were also forced to evacuate their homes due to the fire. Spikes, an Uber driver, had noticed the fire while driving on I-580 and had immediately called 911 to report it. Davis, who helps evacuate animals during disasters, had to leave her own home and work to save others' pets.
The city's mayor, Sheng Thao, visited the scene of the fire and expressed her gratitude to the firefighters for their hard work and dedication. She also stressed the importance of being prepared for such emergencies and creating safe spaces to protect against them. As the news conference concluded, many evacuees were left waiting anxiously, unsure of when they would be able to return to their homes. But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, the community came together to support one another and help those in need.
The community of Oakland was shaken by the news of a five-alarm fire that broke out in the hills on Friday afternoon. The fire continued to rage through the night, but fortunately, by late Saturday morning, the determined efforts of the fire crews had resulted in 50% containment. However, they were not done yet. The crews planned to stay on the scene all day, carefully putting out any lingering smoldering spots and clearing away any potential hazards like fallen trees and brush.
The fire had started around 1:30 p.m. in the Mountain Boulevard and Maynard Avenue area, near Interstate 580. It quickly spread, burning through 13 acres of land and destroying two homes before the forward progress of the flames was finally stopped at around 3:30 p.m. on Friday. The Oakland Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire in one of the homes, with the help of the dedicated crews fighting the vegetation fire.
The fire posed a real threat to the homes along Maynard Avenue, Sanford Street, and Greenridge and Canyon Oaks Drive. In response, about 500 residents were evacuated from the affected areas, which included Altura Place, Campus Drive, Crystal Ridge Court, and Rifle Lane. Fortunately, the evacuation order was lifted around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, but some areas were still under an evacuation order as of late Saturday morning.
The Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) crews were working tirelessly, inspecting each street and home in the affected areas. Their goal was to ensure the safety of the residents and to allow them to return to their homes as soon as possible. According to Mike Hunt, the spokesperson for the Oakland Fire Department, their hope was to have all residents back home by the end of the day. However, with about 60 to 70 firefighters still on the scene on Saturday, it was clear that there was still a lot of work to be done.
Fire Chief Damon Covington addressed the press during a briefing on Saturday afternoon, stating that the crews would be working through the weekend to completely extinguish the fire. He also urged the community to remain patient and understanding during this trying time. He acknowledged the efforts of the firefighters and thanked them for their dedication and hard work.
Unfortunately, the heavy winds and remaining flames were still a cause for concern, preventing the officials from allowing the residents to return to their homes. An update on a potential return plan was expected to be released later that day.
The timing of this fire was particularly unfortunate, as it was just one day before the 33rd anniversary of the devastating 1991 Oakland-Berkeley hills fire that claimed 25 lives and destroyed thousands of homes. It was also during a red-flag warning for severe fire conditions that covered the entire Bay Area.
Many residents were affected by the fire, including Delane Sims, whose house on the corner of Maynard Avenue and Mountain Boulevard sustained significant damage. Fortunately, her husband, who was home at the time, managed to escape unharmed. Roderick Spikes, an Uber driver who was passing by the area, called 911 to report the fire. The cause of the fire was still unknown at the time, but Mayor Sheng Thao reminded everyone of the importance of being vigilant and creating defensible space to protect against wildfires.
At a news conference on Friday evening, Mayor Thao and Fire Chief Covington addressed the evacuees, informing them that they were unsure when they would be able to return to their homes. The fire was only 15% contained at that time, and the city was providing dinner and housing accommodations for the residents.
Molly Kenefick, one of the affected residents, received a call from a neighbor alerting her to the fire. She looked outside to see the flames dangerously close to her property and quickly realized the severity of the situation. Despite the uncertainty and fear, she expressed gratitude for being alive and commended the firefighters for their hard work.
Another resident, Amanda Davis, heard the sound of a helicopter overhead and saw the smoke from her home. She knew she had to evacuate, and as an expert in evacuating animals during disasters, she immediately sprang into action to help her and others' pets to safety. Susan Gong, a 78-year-old resident, was also evacuated and taken to a nearby school. She sat alone, waiting for her son to pick her up, but was grateful for the safety and support provided by the community.
The fire may have caused damage and fear, but the community of Oakland stood strong and came together in the face of adversity. The fire crews, PG&E workers, and officials all worked tirelessly to protect the residents and their homes. It was a stark reminder of the importance of being prepared for such emergencies and the bravery of those who risk their lives to keep us safe.
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