Crews continued mop-up work this week at the scene of the Keller Fire in the East Oakland hills, which was nearly contained Monday following a nerve-racking weekend for both firefighters and residents, fire officials said.
The wind-driven fire broke out about 2:25 p.m. on Friday near Keller Avenue and Interstate 580 and quickly spread, damaging two homes and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate.
More than 20 firefighters remained at the scene on Monday morning, Oakland fire spokesperson Michael Hunt said.
“Community members are advised that the smell of smoke in the Keller Fire area is likely to continue for the next several days, and does not necessarily indicate ongoing fire,” Hunt said.
Two homes were damaged and about a dozen were threatened at the height of the fire. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Remaining evacuation orders for the area were lifted Sunday night. A temporary shelter for residents at Ira Jenkins Community Center closed on Sunday night.
As Oakland fire crews battled the blaze, about 200 firefighters from several Bay Area fire departments were called to back up the Oakland department. Cal Fire assisted with air support.
Air support is awesome but we can’t say enough about the @AlamedaCoFire / @calfireSCU hand crews which played a key role in establishing a fire break at the Keller Fire, and worked tirelessly the last three days to contain and extinguish the fire. Thank you all! pic.twitter.com/DgI5GP35RO
— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) October 21, 2024
The blaze occurred almost to the day of the 33rd anniversary of the Oakland Hills Fire. The 1991 fire, fanned by unusually hot, dry winds, lasted five days. It killed 25 people, injured 150, and destroyed more than 3,200 dwellings over an area of 1,520 acres.
The Oakland Fire Department took to social media on Sunday to thank dozens of firefighters from other agencies who provided mutual aid during the Keller Fire.
“Air support is awesome but we can’t say enough about the @AlamedaCoFire / @calfireSCU hand crews which played a key role in establishing a fire break at the Keller Fire, and worked tirelessly the last three days to contain and extinguish the fire. Thank you all!” the department posted on X.
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