Oakland Hills Fire, 20th Anniversary

20 years ago on October 20th 1991 a large urban fire occurred on the hillsides of northern Oakland, California, and southeastern Berkeley, just two years after the Loma Prieta earthquake. The fire has been referred to as the Oakland hills firestorm, the East Bay Hills Fire, and the Tunnel Fire (because of its origin above the west portal of the Caldecott Tunnel) in Oakland. The fire ultimately killed 25 people and injured 150 others. The 1,520 acres destroyed included 3,354 single-family dwellings and 437 apartment and condominium units. The economic loss has been estimated at $1.5 billion.

Supplemental Information:

20 years ago today, The Tunnel Fire, also known as the East Bay Hills Fire, originally started on October 19, 1991. On October 20, the fire, fanned by wind gusts up to 65 miles per hour, escaped containment lines and ran through the neighborhoods of Oakland Hills. Battalion Chief James Riley, Police Officer John Grubensky, and 23 civilians were killed; between 100-150 injured, and 3,354 single-family dwellings, 456 apartment units and approximately 2,000 vehicles were destroyed. While only burning 1,600 acres, total damages has been estimated at $1.5 billion, making it the costliest fire monetarily in U.S. history. For more information, visit http://www.wlfalwaysremember.org/incident-lists/186-james-riley-oakland-berkeley-hills.html

Ironically offshore Diablo winds are soon predicted and a small earthquak jolted San Fransico toady.