Daijiworld Media Network - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, May 20: A fast-moving wildfire dubbed the “Sandy Fire” has swept through Southern California’s Ventura County, forcing evacuation orders for more than 17,000 residents as over 750 firefighters continue intensive efforts to contain the blaze.

The fire erupted on Monday morning near Sandy Avenue and Rudolph Drive in Simi Valley, located about 48 kilometres northwest of Los Angeles. Authorities said the blaze began accidentally around 10 a.m. when a tractor operator struck a rock during land-clearing work, triggering a spark that ignited dry vegetation.

Driven by low humidity and strong terrain-funnelled winds, the fire spread rapidly, burning through approximately 1,385 acres (around 5.6 square kilometres) by Tuesday morning. Containment efforts remained limited at just 5 per cent as crews battled shifting conditions.

Firefighting teams launched large-scale air and ground operations to protect residential areas at risk. Overnight, a brief lull in wind speeds allowed responders to establish partial containment lines. Helicopters have been continuously drawing water from nearby lakes to conduct rapid drops, while ground crews work to prevent flames from advancing toward populated neighbourhoods.

California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that the state has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), enabling local agencies to recover 75 per cent of firefighting costs as suppression operations continue.

The wildfire has significantly disrupted daily life in the region. The Simi Valley Unified School District suspended all classes on Tuesday, while authorities issued an air quality advisory for Ventura and Los Angeles counties due to heavy smoke covering large areas.

Residents remain on alert as officials warn that changing wind conditions could further intensify the fire risk, with containment efforts expected to continue over the coming days.