Southern California wildfire forces evacuations in Simi Valley

Residents in parts of Southern California were forced to evacuate Monday after a fast-moving wildfire broke out in Simi Valley and surrounding communities.

(CNN)- Residents in parts of Southern California were forced to evacuate Monday after a fast-moving wildfire broke out in Simi Valley and surrounding communities.

“I was getting ready to go out to work and, you know, just a lot of smoke,” evacuated resident Mike Clark said.

Clark said he quickly gathered his family’s pets and helped his wife evacuate safely.

“Ended up getting the cats together and the dogs together and get my wife out first,” he said.

Officials ordered evacuations for tens of thousands of residents as the wildfire rapidly spread through dry brush fueled by strong winds.

Thousands more people were placed under evacuation warnings.

Large flames and thick smoke could be seen rising from the fire as crews rushed to contain the blaze.

According to the Los Angeles Times, at least one home and another structure were destroyed Monday, while thousands more buildings remained threatened.

Fire officials said roughly 500 firefighters were battling the wildfire.

Ground crews received support from fixed-wing air tankers, water-dropping helicopters and aircraft releasing fire retardant.

“I’ve always heard the response up here was pretty good when there were fires in the past,” Clark said. “So I’m just really thankful.”

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the Sandy Fire had burned more than 1,300 acres by late Monday and remained at zero percent containment.

Officials say the cause of the wildfire remains under investigation.