A fast-moving brush fire grew amid windy weather in Simi Valley to 183 acres by early afternoon on Monday, May 18, threatening neighborhoods and forcing evacuations.
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The Sandy fire broke out near Sandy Avenue just before 11 a.m. in Ventura County, fueled by dry temperature and driven by gusty winds.
Within an hour it had grown to more than 100 acres.
By early afternoon, fire crews were making water drops as the flames rapidly approached residential homes.
Nearby residents in southern Simi Valley were ordered to evacuate the area.
More than 200 firefighters were on the scene, aided by three air tankers and six helicopters, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. As of early afternoon, crews had no containment on the fire.
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By late morning, there were reports of homes being burned. A Southern California News Group photographer saw a home and its garage burning on Trickling Brook Court and two people taking a horse to safety on Sunnyvale Avenue.
According to the National Weather Service, gusty northeast Santa Ana winds are expected to continue for several hours, but weaken through the afternoon, evening and overnight.
But, in the meantime, gusts of up to 45 mph were expected in the area, along with a temperature in the upper 70s to low 80s.
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This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.