Fast-Moving Brush Fire In Oakland Prompts Evacuations Amid California 'Diablo Winds'

The fire comes as forecasters have issued red flag warnings across Northern California.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A fast-moving brush fire has prompted an evacuation of an Oakland neighborhood and damaged at least four structures.

At least 80 firefighters were battling the 8-acre (3.2-hectare) blaze in the Oakland hills and state crews have arrived to help, the Oakland Fire Department said.

The fire comes as forecasters have issued red flag warnings for fire danger until Saturday from the central coast through the San Francisco Bay Area and into northern Shasta County, not far from the Oregon border.

It was not immediately clear what caused the Oakland blaze. The fire department ordered people in two streets, Campus Drive and Crystal Ridge Court, to evacuate. No injuries have been reported.

A California utility shut off power in 19 counties in the northern and central part of the state as a major “diablo wind” — notorious in autumn for its hot, dry gusts — spiked the risk of power lines sparking a wildfire.