Sandy Fire in Simi Valley Forces More than 28,000 to Evacuate

The Sandy Fire in Simi Valley, northwest of Los Angeles, has burned more than 800 acres in California over the past few hours, burning several structures and putting more than 28,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders by Monday afternoon.

More than 8,000 additional residents are under evacuation warnings because of the fast-growing blaze.

Driven quickly by dry conditions and strong winds, the fire is close to several local schools. CAL FIRE reported that more than 550 firefighters are responding to the scene.

Simi Valley, the city most urgently under threat, is about 40 miles from Los Angeles, where devastating wildfires ripped across several communities last year and caused an estimated 440 deaths.

Direct Relief, which maintains its headquarters about 50 miles north of the fires, is monitoring the Sandy Fire and has reached out to local partners in Ventura County, California, to offer assistance.

N95 respirators were picked up Monday for distribution to outdoor workers, for whom particulate matter from wildfire smoke is an especially serious concern, and healthcare partners are currently assessing medical needs.

Because of the fast-moving nature of wildfires, the scale of immediate health impacts is frequently unknown. Requests for support generally arise in the days after a fire begins. In addition, disaster-related displacement also comes with its own health risks, regardless of the nature of the disaster, including interruptions to continuity of care and to sanitation.

For that reason, Direct Relief will continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in close contact with local healthcare providers.