An evacuation advisory has been issued as the Sandy Fire rages on, continuing to spread uncontained into Los Angeles County as of Monday night.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department extended an evacuation warning to residents in Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Lake Manor, and Woolsey, closely monitoring the fire’s trajectory along county lines.
The communities now under warning had previously been affected by the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which devastated more than 1,600 structures in both Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Despite the area still being part of the Woolsey burn scar, years of regrowth have seen grasses, shrubs, and vegetation flourish on the hills and valleys.
Officials have urged residents to be ready to evacuate quickly if conditions worsen. “Those who need extra time to evacuate, particularly those with pets or livestock, should evacuate immediately,” they cautioned.
Reportedly, the fire began around 11 a.m. Monday near Sandy Avenue in Simi Valley, rapidly expanding due to perilous weather conditions. By Monday evening, it had already engulfed 1,364 acres and was 0% contained, according to Cal Fire reports. At least one house and another structure have sustained damage.
Dry Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph, have aided the fire’s progression. Forecasters anticipate that warm, dry weather will persist into Tuesday, although conditions may shift later tonight with onshore winds.
Challenges in containment efforts have arisen from high temperatures, low afternoon humidity, and terrain-driven winds, with the fire moving southeast. Authorities warned that winds from the canyon could continue to fuel the fire into the evening.
Los Angeles County firefighting teams have joined the battle, with around 500 firefighters currently engaged in both aerial and ground efforts. Over 28,600 individuals remain under evacuation orders, prompting the opening of an emergency shelter at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park. A large animal shelter is also available for livestock at Los Angeles Pierce College, as indicated by the Ventura County Emergency Dashboard.
