Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate Monday as a wind-driven wildfire threatened suburban homes in Southern California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sandy Fire was reported around 10 a.m. in hills above Simi Valley, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By mid-afternoon it had consumed more than 500 acres of dry brush and damaged at least one home, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The flames were pushed by morning gusts that topped 30 mph but were subsiding later in the day, according to fire department spokesperson Scott Dettorre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs the sun sets, those winds will calm down even more,\u201d Dettorre said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for several neighborhoods in Simi Valley, a city of more than 125,000 people that was shrouded in smoke as helicopters performed water drops. Dettorre didn\u2019t know exactly how many people were ordered to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, perched on a hillside a few miles away, said it was closed for the day because of the fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cause is under investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, firefighters were battling a 15-square-mile blaze on Santa Rosa Island, the second-largest of the Channel Islands off the Southern California coast. The fire destroyed a cabin and an equipment shed and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Santa Rosa, a popular destination for camping and hiking, is home to island foxes, spotted skunks and elephant seals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n