More than 17,000 people were under evacuation orders in southern California on Tuesday as a wildfire threatened suburban homes. The wind-driven Sandy fire was reported on Monday in the hills above Simi Valley, about 30 miles (48 km) north-west of Los Angeles.
By Tuesday evening, the fire had consumed about 1,698 acres (683 hectares) and destroyed at least one home, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. The flames were initially pushed by gusts that topped 30 mph (48 km/h), but firefighters were aided by calmer winds overnight, said department spokesperson Andrew Dowd.
“We’ve made a lot of progress against this fire with those improved weather conditions,” Dowd said. Crews hoped to make further progress before winds increased again, he added.
Approximately 750 firefighters had been assigned to the fire by Tuesday, along with helicopters and air tankers, according to the Ventura County Star. The fire was 5% contained as of Tuesday evening, and the cause remains under investigation.
Evacuation orders and warnings were still in place for several neighborhoods in Simi Valley, a city of more than 125,000 residents. Los Angeles officials are monitoring the fire but expected firefighters in Ventura County to halt its progress.
“While the Sandy Fire is in Ventura County, the Los Angeles Fire Department continues to closely monitor the situation and has deployed resources on the ground – including strike teams, a hand crew, and helicopters – to assist local crews in firefighting efforts,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “At this time, we do not expect the wildfire to reach the City of Los Angeles.”
To the south-east, two fires broke out midday Tuesday in Riverside County, prompting evacuation orders there. The Bain fire continued to burn uncontained through 907 acres by Tuesday evening. At least four people were injured during the blaze, with three suffering from smoke inhalation and another from “traumatic injuries,” according to ABC7 News.
The nearby Verona fire had torn through 200 acres as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. Officials also said “the forward rate of spread has been stopped” in a social media update. One civilian and one firefighter sustained minor injuries during the blaze. The former declined care, while the latter was transported to a local hospital, authorities said.
Meanwhile, firefighters were battling a 23-square-mile blaze on Santa Rosa Island, off the southern California coast – nearly one-third of the island’s surface area. The fire destroyed a cabin and an equipment shed and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees. Santa Rosa Island, a popular destination for camping and hiking, is home to island foxes, spotted skunks, and elephant seals. The island is home to six plants that grow there exclusively.
“Rare plants are among the remarkable ecological resources that Santa Rosa Island is known for,” Sierra Frisbie, a fire information officer, wrote in an email. “As part of the incident management team, Resource Advisors are assisting firefighters by providing guidance on how to protect these sensitive areas during operations when possible.”
The Santa Rosa Island fire appeared to start after a shipwrecked sailor shot off at least two flares in an attempt to catch the attention of passing boats. He was rescued without injury after passing the night on the island, according to the US Coast Guard. The National Park Service says it is still investigating the cause of the fire.
