Alex N. Gecan

Senior reporter, public safety, @berkeleyside. Formerly @marinij, @AsburyParkPress, @ConnPost, @StamAdvocate, @Middletownpress and @NewOrleansMag.

[Oakland Fire Department (CA) @OaklandFireCA]

Update 8) The Fire is at approximately 15% containment. Crews continue to put water on the impact area, and hand crews are working over the vegetation to address hot spots. Incident Commanders are closely monitoring wind patterns and resources. Fire is under investigation.

[Oakland Fire Department (CA) @OaklandFireCA]

Update 7) There have been conflicting reports on the fire damage. The CURRENT number of residential homes impacted by fire flames is TWO. Dozens of homes on Maynard, Sanford, Greenridge, Canyon Oaks were threatened but NOT damaged by flames.

[City of Berkeley @CityofBerkeley]

With unusually risky fire danger starting at 8pm on Friday October 18, Berkeley residents in the hills should

-Stay on heightened alert
-Keep phones charged with ringers on
-Consider leaving the hills before the highest risk time

[Oakland Fire Department (CA) @OaklandFireCA]

Update 6) Forward Progress has been STOPPED for this 5th Alarm Fire. With multiple agencies from several counties assisting, the fast moving fire reached 13 acres. As of now, less than 10 structures impacted by fire activity.

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

4-alarm fire active in Oakland Hills, evacuations ordered https://t.co/qH4oNIg808

[Oakland Fire Department (CA) @OaklandFireCA]

Update 5) This 4 Alarm Fire Incident is now at 8 acres burning. 4-5 structures have been impacted directly with several more threatened. 80+ firefighters on scene. The prepositioned @Cal_OES apparatus and @CAL_FIRE air and OPs support have arrived.

[Alameda County Fire @AlamedaCoFire]

National Weather Service Heat Advisory!

🚒Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) is warning community members of another heat advisory starting Wednesday, July 10, 2024, and ending Friday, July 12, 2024.

Inland areas will return to triple-digit temperatures.

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

In new lawsuit, former ACDA PIO alleges she was fired for speaking out against records law violations, and for being Asian-American https://t.co/TAFEEjZ1G9

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

'We need time to be able to be human:' Bus drivers worry changes to AC Transit schedules won’t leave time for bathroom breaks 
By @fermoso
https://t.co/RF4nvNJP38

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

Berkeley homeowners scramble after insurers end coverage citing fire risk https://t.co/J3sUoloEQH

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

'It’s always tempting to point fingers, but the buck stops with City Council:' Igor Tregub, a 'consensus-builder,' will soon sit on Berkeley's governing body

By @SupriyaYelimeli

https://t.co/NfaAkEoDXl

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

Jaffa flagship cafe launches in Berkeley, Bayleaf soft opens in Oakland
By @tovinlapan
https://t.co/HdJvxpRkA9

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

Berkeley City Council OK's demolition, 18-story high rise at California Theatre
https://t.co/xYHUK6Ckyr

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

Berkeley is giving its departing city manager a $600,000 separation package https://t.co/6agGRm9x1Z

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

Around Berkeley: La Peña fundraiser for Middle East Children's Alliance, New Deal book talk, Berkeley Community Chorus
By @iriskkwok and @jazzscribe
https://t.co/vtkCgOqc7d

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

UC Berkeley can build student housing at People’s Park, state Supreme Court rules
By @SupriyaYelimeli
https://t.co/dm96LfYRSD

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

Environmental activists take aim at natural gas appliances in Berkeley — again
By @iriskkwok
https://t.co/9WwrFbAexJ

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

Around Berkeley: East Bay Open Studios, solo jazz guitarist Peter Janson, tour sustainable Berkeley homes
By @iriskkwok and @jazzscribe
https://t.co/m4hevn9JSQ

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

Library tax stopgap ballot measure closer to November's ballot https://t.co/65Ngj2Iba9

[Alex N. Gecan @GeeksterTweets]

Parks tax, Measure P: Berkeley mulls millions for trees, marina, housing https://t.co/4tVhHLC3Nt