East Bay Fire Causes Evacuations, Power Outages And Air Quality Advisory

Footage from KPIX shows structures burning in a fire that started in unincorporated Oakley on Aug. 7, 2019.
Photo credit KPIX

Thousands of customers have lost power in eastern Contra Costa County and officials have issued an air quality advisory due to a brush fire that started burning near Oakley on Wednesday afternoon. 

Homes near  Delta Road and Crismore Drive have been evacuated in the unincorporated area of Oakley. The fire grew to 58 acres and had destroyed two buildings shortly before 3 p.m., according to the Eastern Contra Costa Fire Protection District. 

Pacific Gas & Electric turned off electricity to 6,600 customers as a precautionary measure. 

WATCH: Structures burning in #Oakley vegetation fire just south of #BethelIsland https://t.co/bPabqJ5Rlo https://t.co/sRCvdYhccK

— KPIX 5 (@KPIXtv) August 7, 2019

People in Oakley, Brentwood, Knightsen and Discovery Bay have been advised by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to avoid their exposure to smoke by staying inside with their doors and windows closed

Water is being transported by tankers, because there is no municipal system in the area to fight the flames. 

The concentration of eucalyptus trees poses a risk, said East Contra Costa Fire Protection District spokesman Steve Aubert. 

The fire started on Sellers Avenue after noon.