Red flag warning, heat advisory issued for Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. (BCN) - Firefighters will be conducting roving patrols in the Oakland hills this weekend in response to a red flag fire warning and heat advisory issued for the city this weekend, city officials said.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the city that started at 11 a.m. today and lasts until 8 p.m. Sunday. Northerly winds from 15 to 30 mph with gusts of 40 mph are expected, with humidity from 10 to 20 percent.

The Oakland Hills firestorm of 1991 burned many homes and caused fatalities. Since then, there have been other fires in the hills, though none of such great proportions, and the department has sustained criticism for many years related to prevention measures in the hills.

The Heat Advisory for the weekend means a period of hot temperatures is expected. People are advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, stay in air conditioning if possible and check on friends and neighbors.