SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — On Monday, a fierce wildfire driven by strong winds prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents in a Southern California suburb.
The blaze, dubbed the Sandy Fire, ignited around 10 a.m. in the hills overlooking Simi Valley, located roughly 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
By the afternoon, the fire had scorched over 720 acres of parched vegetation and caused damage to at least one residence, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Morning gusts reaching over 30 mph propelled the flames, though the winds began to ease as the day progressed, stated Scott Dettorre, a fire department spokesperson.
“We expect these winds to diminish further as evening approaches,” Dettorre noted.
As smoke engulfed the city, evacuation directives and alerts were issued for various neighborhoods in Simi Valley, home to over 125,000 people. Helicopters were seen executing water drops, though Dettorre could not specify the exact number of evacuees.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, perched on a hillside a few miles away, said it was closed for the day because of the fire.
The cause is under investigation.
Meanwhile, firefighters were battling a 15-square-mile laze on Santa Rosa Island, the second-largest of the Channel Islands off the Southern California coast. The fire destroyed a cabin and an equipment shed and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees.
Santa Rosa, a popular destination for camping and hiking, is home to island foxes, spotted skunks and elephant seals.
Our sister station, ABC7 in Los Angeles, contributed to this story.
Copyright © 2026 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
