More than 17,000 people were under evacuation orders Tuesday as the fast-moving Southern California wildfire continued burning near homes in Simi Valley.
The Sandy Fire erupted Monday in the hills above the Ventura County community, located roughly 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
Sandy Fire destroys home and spreads rapidly
According to the Ventura County Fire Department, the wildfire had burned more than two square miles of dry brush by Tuesday morning.
Officials confirmed at least one home was destroyed.
Strong winds initially fueled the blaze, with gusts reaching more than 30 mph. However, firefighters gained some relief overnight as conditions temporarily improved.
“We’ve made a lot of progress against this fire with those improved weather conditions,” department spokesperson Andrew Dowd said.
Despite the progress, officials reported zero containment as crews continued battling the flames.
Evacuation orders remain in place
Mandatory evacuation orders and warnings remained active across several Simi Valley neighborhoods Tuesday morning.
Authorities urged residents to stay alert as weather conditions could worsen again later in the day with stronger winds expected to return.
The cause of the Southern California wildfire remains under investigation.
Firefighters also battle blaze on Santa Rosa Island
At the same time, crews are responding to another major wildfire burning on Santa Rosa Island off the Southern California coast.
That fire has already scorched approximately 23 square miles and destroyed:
One cabin
One equipment shed
Officials also evacuated 11 National Park Service employees from the island.
Wildlife habitat threatened
Santa Rosa Island is known for its protected wildlife and outdoor recreation areas.
The island is home to:
Island foxes
Spotted skunks
Elephant seals
The growing Southern California wildfire threat comes as dry brush, warm temperatures and seasonal winds continue creating dangerous fire conditions across the region.
Author: Staff Writer | Edited for WTFwire.com | SOURCE: AP News
