Tunnel Fire (Oakland Hills) (1991)
Oakland & Berkeley Hills, California · Oct 20, 1991 – Oct 23, 1991
Acres burned
1,520
Lives lost
25
Structures destroyed
2,900
Year
1991
What happened
The 1991 Oakland Hills "Tunnel Fire" was a small-acreage but catastrophic urban firestorm that killed 25 people and destroyed nearly 3,000 homes in a dense hillside community — a landmark case in wildland-urban interface risk.
Cause
Incompletely extinguished grass fire rekindled
Location
Oakland & Berkeley Hills, California
Key facts
- ▪Catastrophic wildland-urban interface fire
- ▪25 deaths, ~2,900 structures on only ~1,500 acres
- ▪Reshaped WUI building codes
- ▪Rekindled from a poorly extinguished fire
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Related major fires
Tunnel Fire (Oakland Hills) FAQ
When was the Tunnel Fire (Oakland Hills) and where did it burn?
The Tunnel Fire (Oakland Hills) started Oct 20, 1991 in Oakland & Berkeley Hills, California, and was contained Oct 23, 1991.
How many acres did the Tunnel Fire (Oakland Hills) burn?
The Tunnel Fire (Oakland Hills) burned approximately 1,520 acres.
How many people died in the Tunnel Fire (Oakland Hills)?
Approximately 25 people died in the Tunnel Fire (Oakland Hills).
What caused the Tunnel Fire (Oakland Hills)?
Incompletely extinguished grass fire rekindled.
Figures are approximate and compiled from official agency reporting; totals for recent fires may still be revised. FireRisk.ai is an independent wildfire-risk service.