In keeping with my recent them of Bay Area disasters, I can inform you that today is the anniversary of the 1991 Oakland hills firestorm.
The fire started from a hot spot from a previously extinguished fire. It spread quickly through the wildland — urban/suburban area. It burned for 3 days, killed 25 people and injured ~150 people. The firefighting efforts were stymied by narrow winding roads, cars in front of hydrants, and problems with water pumping stations that resulted in hydrants with no water.
This fire happened the year we initially moved to Novato, and we could see the fire raging on our drive home through Vallejo, north of the fire. It was a line of fire in the dusky skyline; a very foreboding view.
The fire ultimately destroyed nearly 3400 dwelling units, and according to Wikipedia the economic loss totaled about 1.5 billion USD. This fire was the largest dwelling loss due to fire until last years’ fires in Sonoma County.
Like the Loma Prieta earthquake a few years prior, there was a sporting event at Candlestick Park, a football game between the Detroit Lions and the SF 49ers. Once again, the blimp used by the broadcasters shared the video with the country.
en.wikipedia.org/…