A fast-moving brush fire erupted Monday morning in Southern California, prompting evacuation orders and damaging at least one home. The blaze was reported just after 10 a.m. in Simi Valley, a Ventura County city 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.
Fire Spreads Rapidly
By shortly before noon, the fire had consumed over 180 acres (73 hectares), according to Scott Dettorre, a spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department. Aerial footage showed at least one residence ablaze, though officials did not provide an exact count. Multiple helicopters performed water drops over the blaze, as thick gray smoke blanketed the neighborhood.
Evacuations Ordered
Some residents in the southern part of Simi Valley were ordered to evacuate. The city has a population of more than 125,000 people. Crews were scrambling to keep flames from moving down slopes into the suburban neighborhoods of Thousand Oaks.
A National Weather Service advisory warning of winds 20 to 30 mph (32 to 48 kph) was issued for the area until 3 p.m.
