Keller Fire shares similarities with the Oakland Hills firestorm of 1991

OAKLAND, Calif. – The basement fire that broke out Friday afternoon brought back eerie memories of the 1991 Oakland firestorm.

The tunnel fire happened 33 years ago on Saturday, October 19th. It broke out about eight miles north of the Keller Fire and began near I-580 near Keller Avenue and Mountain Boulevard.

It erupted over the Caldecott Tunnel, killing 25 people. 150 people were injured and more than 3,000 houses were destroyed.

Fueled by hot, dry winds, the embers caused the fire to spread quickly and start other fires. Many people were trapped.

It remains one of the worst fires in Oakland history.

“Very similar situations, very high winds, red flag day,” Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington said. “It jumped from the highway onto the house and then into the eucalyptus, so there are definitely some similarities to the 1991 fire. One of the biggest differences, however, is that we prepared for days like this.”

Covington said the department has placed fire engines and trucks in the hills to fight the basement fire. An advisory remained in effect for the area Saturday.

A circle attack team was assembled and prepared to attack the flames in the early stages.

More than a dozen responders from neighboring agencies across the Bay Area, including Marin County Fire and San Francisco Fire, jumped in to help.

Firefighters halted further progress on the basement fire on Friday and worked throughout the night and into Saturday to combat the blaze.

Cal Fire said it is important for residents to always have their duffel bag handy and near the front door.

“We say fire season is year-round here in California because there are many different areas that can have very different conditions. “Especially for Cal Fire, which covers the entire state, it’s year-round for us,” said Cal Fire Public Information Officer Robert Foxworthy.