Firefighters in the San Francisco Bay Area made progress in containing the Keller Fire in the Oakland Hills, which began on Friday afternoon and destroyed at least two homes. About 15 acres have been burned, with the fire at 50% containment as of Saturday morning. Approximately 500 people were ordered to evacuate their homes, and part of Interstate 580 had to be closed temporarily but was later reopened. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
California is facing multiple fires, with a red flag warning issued for dry and windy conditions in the Bay Area and Central Coast. This warning includes winds of at least 25 mph and gusts up to 50 mph, with low humidity levels and temperatures in the high 70s. Pacific Gas and Electric shut off power for about 17,500 customers in an effort to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires.
Officials had previously warned about the Diablo winds sweeping across Northern California, creating conditions for fires. In Southern California, the Santa Ana winds are in full swing, with gusts of 25-40 mph expected in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The red flag warning for Southern California was set to expire on Saturday afternoon, with officials indicating it was unlikely to be extended. These windy and dry conditions increase the risk of wildfires in the region.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com