Fast-moving brush fire prompts evacuation of Oakland neighborhood and damages at least 4 structures

Fast-moving brush fire prompts evacuation of Oakland neighborhood and damages at least 4 structures.

At least 80 firefighters were battling the 8-acre 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, the Associated Press reported .

The cause for the blaze has not been confirmed . Fire officials ordered residents on Campus Drive and Crystal Ridge Court to evacuate. No injuries have been reported.

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The brush fire comes as major “diablo wind" have taken over the area. The “diablo wind” is forecast to cause sustained winds reaching 35 mph in many areas, with possible gusts topping 65 mph along mountaintops, according to the National Weather Service. The strong winds are expected to last through part of the weekend.

As a result, a California utility shut off power in 19 counties in the northern and central part of the state, to avoid the risk of power lines sparking a wildfire. About 16,000 customers were without electricity Friday after Pacific Gas and Electric shut off power, AP reported.

The utility began cutting power Thursday to customers in 12 counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, Solano and Sonoma in the Bay Area, and some customers farther north in Colusa, Glenn, Tehama and Shasta counties, PG&E said.

A total of about 20,000 customers could lose power temporarily in the next couple of days, PG&E said in a statement Friday.

“The duration and extent of power outages will depend on the weather in each area, and not all customers will be affected for the entire period,” the utility said.

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.