A wildfire in Simi Valley has led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. Officials report 22% containment as of Wednesday. Shifting winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation are expected to sustain fire activity through Thursday, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
The fire began late Monday morning near Sandy Avenue and spread to nearby homes, destroying one. By Wednesday evening, it had burned over 2,115 acres, leaving around 17,000 residents under evacuation orders.
Approximately 900 firefighters are aggressively battling the Sandy fire on difficult terrain, reported the Ventura County Fire Department. Efforts include ground crews building fire lines and air tankers dropping retardant to slow the spread.
“We’re here with Cal Fire, L.A. City, and L.A. County Fire using all available resources,” explained Andrew Dowd, the department’s spokesperson.
Crews are focused near Albertson Motorway, cutting down hot spots and securing the fire’s edge. Trevor Johnson, another fire department spokesperson, mentioned that unburned fuel pockets might cause visible smoke in the area.
Firefighters are also concentrated near Sequioia Avenue to prevent the fire’s spread toward the canyon. The blaze may have been sparked by a tractor hitting a rock, causing a spark, the Simi Valley Police Department explained.
The National Weather Service anticipates offshore winds to continue through the weekend. Several road closures are in place, affecting Bell Canyon Road, Katherine Road, Clear Springs Road, Oak Knolls Road, Crinklaw Lane, and segments of Santa Susana Pass Road. An evacuation warning is also active near Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Chatsworth, West Hills, and Lake Manor.
Elsewhere in Southern California, other fires are making progress in containment. The Verona fire in Riverside County has burned 600 acres with 30% containment, the Bain fire has spread over 1,456 acres at 34% containment, and the Santa Rosa Island fire has reached 17,554 acres with 44% containment.
More updates and information are expected as efforts continue.
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