It has been estimated that 70% of the energy released through the combustion of vegetation in the Oakland fire was due to eucalyptus.

For insurers, the Oakland fire already makes 1991 the second-worst year ever, industry officials said.

"It is why we passed legislation, in the wake of the Oakland fires, to try and require that there be a safety area around homes."

You think the Oakland fire was big?

After the 1991 Oakland fire, public sentiment was running against rebuilding.

If the Oakland fire taught a lesson, it has been largely ignored.

"In California alone in the last three years we've had earthquakes, the Oakland fire and the riots in Los Angeles," she said.

He and his wife, Joyce, lost a 2,360-square-foot, five-bedroom home in the Oakland fire.

"We're already at that for this year without including the estimates for the Oakland fire," he said.

The Oakland fire is this year's 31st insurance industry catastrophe, meaning an event with more than $5 million in insured losses.