Fire in Oakland: Homes Destroyed, People Evacuated

In Oakland, California, a sudden fire swept through a hillside neighborhood on Friday, damaging at least seven homes and forcing over 500 people to flee. The blaze began near the 580 Freeway, causing massive traffic jams. Strong winds, up to 40 mph, fanned the flames and spread the fire rapidly, even jumping across roads. Eucalyptus trees contributed to the fire's fast spread. Despite firefighters' efforts, the fire grew to 13 acres within three hours before being stopped. The cause of the fire is still unknown. Authorities warned of high fire risk due to "diablo winds" and power shut-offs were initiated by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to prevent further fires. Similar conditions were seen in Southern California, where another brush fire threatened homes. Red flag warnings were also issued for many areas, highlighting the significant fire danger.