Sandy Fire in Simi Valley Grows to Nearly 1,700 Acres

The Sandy Fire in Southern California has grown to nearly 1,700 acres as of Wednesday morning. The fire ignited near Sandy Avenue shortly after 10 a.m. on Monday and had spread significantly due to shifting winds, steep terrain, and canyon-driven fire behavior.

By Tuesday night, the blaze had expanded to 1,698 acres with containment reaching 5%. By Wednesday morning, containment increased to 15%, according to Cal Fire. More than 869 personnel have been assigned to combat the flames, utilizing air and ground resources from across Southern California.

Evacuation orders remained in effect for more than 17,000 residents as of Tuesday, with evacuation warnings affecting an additional 400 residents. The affected areas include several neighborhoods in Simi Valley and parts of Thousand Oaks. Authorities lifted some evacuation warnings on Monday evening due to lighter winds and cooler temperatures.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. According to CBS News, an individual 'hit a rock with a tractor' near the 2600 block of Rudolph Drive, which sparked the blaze. The Simi Valley Police Department received this report around 10:17 a.m.

Firefighters have battled the flames amidst challenging conditions, including gusts exceeding 30 mph on Tuesday morning. The fire has destroyed at least one home and prompted the closure of several roads to ensure public safety and facilitate firefighting efforts. All Simi Valley Unified School District campuses remain closed as a precaution.

On Monday evening, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that his office had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA. This grant provides 75% reimbursement of eligible fire suppression costs for local, state, and tribal agencies. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum was closed due to the fire but was not under evacuation orders.