Wildfire in Simi Valley 60% contained, all evacuation orders lifted
About 200 Ventura County firefighters were battling a blaze in the hills of Simi Valley which triggered the evacuation of residents Wednesday afternoon — orders which were later lifted as they got the wildfire under control, county officials said.
The Sharp Fire started at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday near Sharp Road and Ditch Road, and it was initially estimated by fire officials to be about 25 to 30 acres as it moved east. A little over two hours later, around 4:15 p.m., it had grown to about 75 acres and was threatening structures in the area, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Firefighters said around 6 p.m. that the fire was 133 acres, and they held it at that acreage and managed to get it 60 percent contained by 9 a.m. Thursday morning.
On Wednesday, mandatory evacuation orders for 60 homes and a warning for other residents were all lifted by 6:15 p.m., according to VC Emergency. By 9 p.m., people were able to get back into their homes.
"It's horrible," said Sheila Kuntz, a Simi Valley resident. "I've done a lot of fire prevention but it's still really scary."
The wildfire was reported amid an excessive heat warning that's in effect from 11 a.m. Wednesday through Monday for all of Ventura County except for coastal areas.
"We had embers dropping on the driveway, and I said, 'We have got to go,'" said Anne Brady, an evacuee.
Firefighters have been dropping fire retardant with helicopters to attack the blaze from the air while those on the ground have been working to contain it on multiple fronts, including using bulldozers to construct containment lines, according county fire officials.
Just a day earlier, fire officials warned of increased wildfire risks with the coming season.
"Ventura County is now in fire season, and we strongly urge all members of our community to take proactive steps and maintain a high level of vigilance regarding fire safety," the county's fire department wrote on Facebook. "Given the alarming spike in wildfire activity in June alone, totaling 41 wildfires — a 255% increase in a two-week period — it is clear that the risk is significant."
A shelter for those evacuated from their homes was previously set up at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, located at 5005 E. Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley, according to county officials.
Residents can search through this live map to see where current evacuations are. Other information and ongoing updates for affected residents including road closures can be found here.
No homes were damaged in the fire.