201910.30
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Easy fire near Reagan Library in Simi Valley grows to more than 400 acres

by in News

A wind-stoked brush fire broke out in Simi Valley early Wednesday and had scorched about 400 acres by 8 a.m., authorities said.

It was moving toward the 23 Freeway, fire officials warned.

The Ventura County blaze, called the Easy fire, threatened homes in the area and also put the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library at risk.

  • A helicopter drops water on the Easy fire burning near Madera Road and the 118 Freeway on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Cars are seen traveling eastbound on the 118 Freeway early Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019 as the Easy fire burns near Madera Road. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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  • A large fire has broken out between Simi Valley and Moorpark early Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019. (Map courtesy of Ventura County)

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The 23 Freeway was closed in both directions at Avenida de Los Arboles and Los Angeles Avenue, the California Highway Patrol said. Additional closures were at Moorpark Road at Tierra Rejada Road and Moorpark Road at Santa Rosa.

The new fire erupted in the midst of possibly the strongest Santa Ana winds seen so far. Forecasters predicted gusts up to 80 mph would blow in Tuesday night and last through Thursday.

Ventura County has ordered mandatory evacuations for the area bordered by Tierra Rejada Road to the north, Olsen and Madera streets to the south, Madera Street to the east and the 23 Freeway to the west. The county is posting the latest evacuation information at http://www.vcemergency.com.

The county is setting up a shelter for evacuees at the Thousand Oaks Community Center, 2525 North Moorpark Road, in Thousand Oaks.

Large animals can be taken to the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 West Harbor Blvd., in Ventura.

 

The Ventura County Office of Education announced that all of its schools would be closed and referred parents, students and staff to its website — http://vcoe.org — for the latest developments.

Los Angeles County is sending firefighting helicopters to help Ventura County fight the blaze.

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