Bad fire in California hits 17,000 residents

Independent, UK -  Over 17,000 people in Southern California are under evacuation orders as the wind-driven Sandy Fire, reported Monday in the hills above Simi Valley, threatens suburban homes 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Simi Valley, situated north-west of Los Angeles, has a population of more than 125,000 people.

By Tuesday morning, the blaze had consumed over two square miles of dry brush and destroyed at least one home, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. While initial gu sts of Santa Anas topped 30 mph, calmer overnight winds aided firefighters and they managed to get the fire 5% contained.