los angeles — A fast-growing fire broke out Monday morning in Southern California, prompting evacuation orders and damaging at least one home.
The fire was reported shortly after 10 a.m. in Simi Valley, a city in Ventura County about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.
The fire spread to more than 180 acres (73 hectares) shortly before noon, according to Scott DeTore, spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department.
Aerial footage from local television stations showed at least one house burning. Fire officials did not provide an accurate count. Several helicopters were seen dropping water on the fires, while thick clouds of gray smoke covered the neighborhood.
Some residents in the southern part of Simi Valley were ordered to evacuate. The city’s population is more than 125,000 people.
Crews were scrambling to keep the flames from moving down slopes into the suburban Thousand Oaks neighborhoods.
A National Weather Service advisory warning for winds of 20 to 30 mph (32 to 48 kph) has been issued for the area until 3 p.m.