By Blessing Nweke
Thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate Monday as a fast-moving wildfire fueled by strong winds threatened neighborhoods in Southern California, authorities said.
The Sandy Fire broke out around 10 a.m. in the hills above Simi Valley, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. By Monday evening, the blaze had scorched more than 1,300 acres of dry brush and damaged at least one home, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Fire officials said gusty winds exceeding 30 mph pushed the flames rapidly through rugged terrain during the morning hours, complicating firefighting efforts. However, conditions began improving later in the day as winds weakened.
“As the sun sets, those winds will calm down even more,” Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Scott Dettorre said.
Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for roughly 10,000 homes in Simi Valley and nearby communities including Bell Canyon and Santa Susana. Another 3,500 homes were placed under evacuation warnings, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.
Heavy smoke blanketed Simi Valley as firefighting helicopters dropped water on advancing flames. Officials did not immediately provide an estimate of how many residents had been forced to flee.
The fire also prompted evacuation warnings in parts of Los Angeles, including West Hills and Chatsworth. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said city fire officials did not expect the blaze to spread into Los Angeles but issued warnings “out of an abundance of caution.”
Meanwhile, firefighters were also battling a separate 14,520-acre wildfire on Santa Rosa Island, where 11 National Park Service employees were evacuated after flames destroyed a cabin and equipment shed.
Original article
Comments