Sandy Fire in Southern California's Simi Valley grows to more than 700 acres, prompts mandatory evacuations
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- The Sandy Fire in Simi Valley has grown to over 700 acres with no containment, prompting mandatory evacuations in multiple areas and the closure of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for the day.
- The fire reportedly started when an individual struck a rock with a tractor near Rudolph Drive, igniting the brush fire amid dry conditions and Santa Ana winds.
- Firefighters are aggressively combating the blaze with additional ground and air resources from across Southern California, as the fire threatens homes, infrastructure, and schools.
- Several schools have evacuated students or implemented shelter-in-place protocols due to poor air quality, with the Simi Valley Unified School District closely coordinating with emergency personnel.
- Weather conditions include gusty northeast Santa Ana winds expected to weaken overnight but return Tuesday, contributing to the fire’s rapid spread and challenging containment efforts.