Oakland Hills Fire Memorial Park

A Place to Remember

At the heart of this quiet space stands a bronze sculpture surrounded by low walls bearing the names of those lost. It's a simple yet powerful spot that invites you to pause and reflect.

Nearby, you can find a drinking fountain honoring Battalion Chief James Riley of the Oakland Fire Department, who lost his life while trying to save residents during the tragedy. It's a touching tribute to heroism amid chaos.

The Story Behind the Park

Created in 1993, this memorial park honors the 25 individuals whose lives were lost in the devastating Oakland Hills Firestorm of October 20, 1991.

Perched on Tunnel Road at Hiller Highlands Drive, the park offers breathtaking panoramic views that extend across Oakland, Berkeley, and on clear days, all the way to San Francisco. It's somewhat poignant how such beauty exists in a place that once witnessed such destruction.

Learning From the Past

Right next to the memorial, you'll discover the Gateway Emergency Preparedness Exhibit Center, which features a thoughtfully designed Fire Resistant Demonstration Garden. The garden demonstrates how landscaping can meet the city's defensible space requirements.

The garden showcases plants and mulches specifically chosen for this climate and terrain. It's a practical educational resource that shows rather than just tells about fire safety.

Within the park, informative displays detail the historic fire event, but the maintenance of these exhibits and pathways can vary depending on when you visit.

While primarily a memorial, this park represents an important reminder about fire preparedness and the ongoing work needed to prevent similar disasters from happening again.

Plan Your Visit

The park is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your four-legged friend along. There's also a picnic area if you'd like to stay a while.

Note that parking can be limited nearby, so you might want to plan your transportation accordingly. The fact that you're standing at the very epicenter of where the firestorm began adds a profound dimension to your visit.