Overview
- The wind-driven blaze, which erupted Monday in the hills above Simi Valley, has burned about 1,385 acres and is 5% contained, with at least one home destroyed.
- About 17,000 residents remain under evacuation orders after a peak reported near 28,000, and officials reopened some warning zones overnight as conditions eased.
- Roughly 700 to 750 firefighters are attacking the fire with dozers, hand crews, air tankers, and helicopters, and California secured a FEMA grant to reimburse most suppression costs.
- Gusts that reached 25 to 40 mph helped drive rapid growth on dry brush Monday, then lighter winds overnight slowed the fire as crews built line and helicopters worked hotspots.
- Schools in Simi Valley closed Tuesday and evacuation points and animal shelters were opened, while investigators probe the cause after an unconfirmed report that a tractor striking a rock may have sparked the blaze.