The Sandy Fire was reported around 10 a.m. in hills above Simi Valley, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and by mid-afternoon it was threatening nearby neighborhoods with a fast-moving burn through dry brush, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. Fire officials said the blaze had consumed more than 500 acres and had damaged at least one home.
As the fire spread, emergency alerts and evacuation orders were issued for several Simi Valley neighborhoods. The city of more than 125,000 people was shrouded in smoke as helicopters performed water drops aimed at slowing the fire’s advance.
Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Scott Dettorre said the flames were driven by morning gusts that topped 30 mph (48 kph) and that conditions were improving later in the day. “As the sun sets, those winds will calm down even more,” Dettorre said.
Dettorre said evacuation orders and warnings were issued for multiple neighborhoods, but he did not know exactly how many people had been ordered to leave by mid-day. The fire’s cause was under investigation.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, perched on a hillside a few miles from the affected area, said it was closed for the day because of the fire. Officials also kept attention on public safety as the Sandy Fire moved through brushland close to homes.
Firefighters were also battling a second, separate blaze on Santa Rosa Island, the second-largest of the Channel Islands off the Southern California coast. Officials said the fire destroyed a cabin and an equipment shed and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees.
Santa Rosa Island is a popular destination for camping and hiking, and it is home to island foxes, spotted skunks and elephant seals. Fire crews worked to bring both incidents under control as winds eased later in the day, with the Sandy Fire’s cause still being investigated.