At least 44,000 people were told to leave their homes, and an immediate threat to life warning was issued as the Sandy wildfire neared mansions close to Los Angeles.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection issued these orders as strong and unpredictable winds continue to fan these flames in Southern California.
Several neighborhoods in Simi Valley, which is a city with a population of more than 125,000, are covered by evacuation alerts.
The area lies about 30 miles northwest of LA. Simi Valley is home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which is the burial site of the 40th US President and his wife, Nancy.
The blaze erupted at about 10:45 am on Monday near Sandy Avenue before swiftly spreading through dry brush in these gusty winds.