Firefighters battle a rapidly spreading wildfire that is threatening homes in Simi Valley Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Ventura County Fire Department, the Sharp fire first started around 1:45 p.m. in the area of Sharp Road and Ditch Road on the north side of the valley.
Officials estimate that about 50 hectares of dry brush had been burned as of 3:30 p.m.
“There are approximately 200 firefighters on scene. Multiple fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are battling the fire from the air,” VCFD posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Sky5 footage showed firefighting aircraft dropping fire retardant along the western flank of the fire, with the flames appearing to move north and away from homes.
“We have engines that are doing direct structure protection and are in front of that fire,” Ventura County Fire Chief Brian McGrath told KTLA 5 News. “We have hand crews and other engines that are assigned to flank the fire and cool the edges.”
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department issued mandatory evacuations for homes along Ditch Road. A temporary evacuation center was set up at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center at 5005 E. Los Angeles Avenue.
It appeared that no homes had been damaged or destroyed as of 3:00 p.m.
Sharp Fire Road Closures:
- Reservoir Drive at Avenida Simi
- Reservoir Drive at Ditch Road
- Evelyn Avenue at Township Avenue
- Presidio Drive at Valerie Avenue
Simi Valley and many other Southern California communities are under an extreme heat warning through the July 4 long weekend.
This is a developing story. Stay with KTLA 5 News for updates.