100 years ago today, Berkeley fire that started at UC Berkeley.

The 1923 Berkeley Fire was a devastating wildfire that occurred on September 17, 1923, in the hills above the University of California, Berkeley. The fire destroyed over 640 structures and burned approximately 2,500 acres of land.

The fire started in the early afternoon when a group of university students were clearing brush in order to create a firebreak around a nearby campus building. A spark from their equipment ignited the dry grass, and the fire quickly spread out of control due to high winds and dry conditions.

Efforts to fight the fire were hindered by a lack of firefighting equipment and personnel, as well as a shortage of water in the area. The fire continued to spread throughout the day and night, jumping from treetop to treetop and engulfing homes, churches, and other buildings in its path.

Many people were forced to flee their homes and evacuate the area, while others stayed behind to fight the fire or protect their property. The fire was finally brought under control on September 19, after several days of intense firefighting efforts.

The Berkeley Fire of 1923 was one of the worst wildfires in California's history up to that point, and it resulted in the deaths of six people. The disaster led to changes in building codes and fire prevention practices in the area, and it also spurred the creation of the East Bay Regional Park District, which helps to prevent wildfires in the hills today.