Wildfire Races Toward Homes in Southern California, Forcing Evacuations

by Keith Griffith

A fast-moving wildfire is threatening homes in Southern California's Simi Valley, forcing residents to flee.

The Sandy Fire broke out at about 10:50 a.m. on Monday in the hills south of Rudolph Drive, and quickly consumed at least 720 acres as high winds fanned the flames. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

"The fire is spreading dangerously fast and threatens structures as well as infrastructure," CalFire officials said in a flash bulletin. "Evacuations are currently underway."

A map shows the location and boundaries of the Sandy Fire as of 1:37 p.m. local time on Monday. Red areas are under evacuation orders with immediate threat to life, and yellow areas are under evacuation warnings.

Ventura County firefighters were on scene as of 12:30 p.m with 200 firefighters assigned to battle the blaze.

Officials said that the ground effort was being supported by three air tankers and six helicopters conducting "aggressive aerial suppression operations."

Mandatory evacuations are currently underway. The Rancho Santa Susana Community Park has been designated as a temporary evacuation point.

The Simi Valley Animal Shelter is accepting small animal evacuations. Large animals are being accepted at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

HORIZONTAL sand fire simi valley, this is taken in Agoura Hills, looking north toward Simi Valley — Smoke from the Sandy Fire is seen in this photo looking north toward Simi Valley from Agoura Hills. (Realtor.com / Sheri Gordon)

The Sandy Fire comes just 16 months after the deadly Palisades and Altadena fires devastated large swaths of Los Angeles County.

The latest incident is in Ventura County, northwest of the main burn area of the Palisades fire.

The Ventura County Incident Information Line hotline has been activated, and residents with questions related to evacuations and sheltering can call 805-465-6650.

The latest information on evacuation orders can be also found on the Ventura County Emergency Information website.