Simi Valley fire grows to 133 acres, evacuations ordered

Lina Portman3 days ago

0 2 minutes read

Staff reports
| Ventura County Star

A brush fire that broke out near Simi Valley Wednesday afternoon — the second in the Simi Hills in less than three hours — prompted evacuations and road closures as it quickly grew to 133 acres.

The fire is currently mapped at 133 acres based on an updated IR mapping flight. Approximately 200 firefighters and 3 air tankers are on scene.

Moving east, the Sharp Fire was reported around 1:45 p.m. near the 2800 block of Sharp Road. It was initially estimated to be about 5 acres at 2 p.m. Within a half-hour, the fire had grown to 25 acres. Air tankers had been requested to help fight the fire, located along the north end of town.

The fire was being fueled by a westerly wind, authorities said. The Ventura County Fire Department said about 200 firefighters were battling the blaze on the ground. Multiple fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters were also working on the blaze, which was mapped at 43.1 acres shortly after 3 p.m.

By 5 p.m., the fire had grown to 120 acres, according to new maps. Three air tankers were on scene, county fire officials said.

One firefighter was injured, county fire Capt. Brian McGrath said shortly after 4 p.m. The firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and was taken off the line for treatment, McGrath said. Radio traffic indicated the crew member was taken by ambulance to Adventist Health Simi Valley Hospital, though McGrath could not confirm that information.

Evacuation orders, road closures

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office has issued an evacuation order for dozens of homes along Ditch Road.

Homes east of Erringer Road and south of Lost Canyon Drive are under an evacuation warning. A warning means people should be prepared to leave, but the threat is not yet imminent.

A map of evacuation zones is available at vcemergency.com. A temporary evacuation point has been opened at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005 E. Los Angeles Ave.

As of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, authorities reported the following road closures:

Reservoir Drive to Avenida Simi
Reservoir Drive to Ditch Road
Evelyn Avenue to Township Avenue
Presidio Drive at Valarie Avenue
Lemon Walk on Township Avenue

What's the weather like at Sharp Fire?

The fire broke out amid a heat wave that is expected to last nearly a week. Temperatures could soar into the triple digits in Simi Valley and other parts of the county's interior later this week.

On Wednesday afternoon, high temperatures in the Sharp Fire area reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit, said Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. Winds were blowing from the west at about 10 mph.

Light winds and increased humidity are expected overnight, the weather service said.

What was the first Simi Valley fire?

Earlier Wednesday, crews battled a small brush fire in the Simi Hills near the city's southeast edge. The Sequoia Fire was reported around 11:40 a.m. in the foothills near Sequoia Avenue and Aspen Street, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

The project was ultimately estimated to be 1.67 acres. Progress was halted at 12:50 p.m. The area is near the southeast edge of town, where homes border open space.

No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation, county fire Capt. Brian McGrath said.

Last Friday, a brush fire in the Simi Hills burned nearly 5 acres, while a fire near the Rocketdyne site on Sunday was stopped at less than an acre.

This story will be updated.

Evacuation orders, road closures

What's the weather like at Sharp Fire?

What was the first Simi Valley fire?

Lina Portman

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