A brush fire dubbed the Sandy fire erupted in Simi Valley on Monday morning, forcing authorities to evacuate more than 23,000 residents as winds pushed flames across 184 acres within 30 minutes. Firefighters deployed three air tankers and six helicopters to contain the blaze fanned by gusts up to 35 mph, with mandatory orders stretching into neighboring Thousand Oaks.

23,825 people faced mandatory evacuation orders by midday, while another 13,115 received warnings. Warm offshore winds from the northeast drove the rapid spread, complicating containment as forecasters warned gusts could shift direction and become erratic during the afternoon hours.

Schools near the fire line scrambled to protect students. Crestview and Mountain View elementary schools evacuated students to Simi Valley High School. The Ronald Reagan Library closed early despite sitting outside the evacuation zone. Businesses and residents across the affected swath faced disrupted operations as smoke crept into classrooms and roadways.