Simi Valley Wildfire Forces Mass Evacuations, Reaches 22% Containment

A wildfire in Simi Valley has led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, reaching 22% containment as of Wednesday. Continuous wind shifts, low humidity, and dry vegetation could lead to increased fire activity through Thursday, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. The fire, which started around 11 a.m. Monday near Sandy Avenue, destroyed one home and has burned 2,115 acres by Wednesday evening. Approximately 17,000 residents are still under evacuation orders.

About 900 firefighters are combating the difficult terrain of the Sandy fire, with efforts directed at constructing fire lines to bolster containment. Air tankers are dropping retardant to slow its spread. “We’re here with Cal Fire, L.A. City, and L.A. County Fire,” said department spokesperson Andrew Dowd. “We have helicopters, dozers, engines, and we are giving this fire an aggressive attack.”

The southern edge of the fire near Albertson Motorway is a focal point for crews working to reduce hot spots and secure the fire’s perimeter. Trevor Johnson, a spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department, noted the presence of unburned fuel pockets causing visible smoke. On the east side near Sequioia Avenue, firefighters aim to prevent the blaze from advancing toward the canyon.

“We have resources on scene and we’re handling everything we can,” Johnson said.

Authorities suggest the fire might result from a tractor hitting a rock, creating a spark that ignited the fire. The Simi Valley Police Department received a call at 10:17 a.m. Monday from the tractor operator, confirming the incident’s location at Rudolph Drive, adjacent to Sandy Avenue.

National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Lewis anticipated that offshore winds would continue to gust through the area over the weekend. Road closures include Bell Canyon Road, Katherine Road, Clear Springs Road, Oak Knolls Road, Crinklaw Lane, and parts of Santa Susana Pass Road.

An evacuation warning is in effect for areas near Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Chatsworth, West Hills, and Lake Manor. Progress was also seen in other Southern California fires. In Riverside County, the Verona fire has burned 600 acres and is 30% contained, while the Bain fire has covered 1,456 acres with 34% containment. The Santa Rosa Island fire, which began on Friday, spans 17,554 acres and is 44% contained.