News // California Forest Fires
June 26, 2022 Updated: June 26, 2022 7:48 p.m.
Smoke can be seen from downtown Berkeley.
PG&E
UPDATE, 7:43 p.m.: The fire was extinguished and residents were able to return to their homes, the city said.
6:55 p.m.: A large stream of smoke was seen over Albany Hill as firefighters raced to control a grass fire that forced people in at least three neighborhoods in the Gulf region to evacuate on Sunday afternoon.
A signal issued by the city at 4:22 p.m. issued mandatory evacuation orders to residents of Gateview, Hillside and Taft Street, which take effect immediately. People living on block 500 on Pierce Street are advised to take shelter on the spot at that time.
An evacuation center is being set up at the Golden Gate Fields.
The Berkeley Fire Department said it was also responding to the fire with support from the El Serito Fire Department, adding that the fire started near the intersection of Cleveland and Washington Avenue.
“All seven engines were running in the #cleveland accident in Albany, with both truck companies hiring staff for shrub equipment and type 3 for wildlife,” the department said on Twitter. “Alameda and Auckland County fire departments are currently covering #berkeley.”
The advance of the fire was stopped at 17:03
Photos on Twitter show damage from a fire under Highway 80 near Golden Gate Fields. The fire also broke out in the vicinity of residential buildings.
Here is more from the small fire that was under the highway, west highway 80 near @ GGFracing @ BerkeleyFD #AlbanyFire #ElCerritoFire @CA_Wildfires @CalFirePIO #wildfires #CAWildfires pic.twitter.com/ljj6VprRZ
– Nathan Pierce (@TheNathanPierce) June 27, 2022
This is an evolving story and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
Smoke visible over the Nicholl Knob in Richmond from the Albany fire on Sunday afternoon.
PG&E
Amanda Bartlett is a cultural reporter for SFGATE. Before joining the newsroom in 2019, she worked for Roxie Theater, Noise Pop and the Frameline Film Festival. Bartlett graduated from the University of Iowa and lives in San Francisco.
Add Comment