MORE than 17,000 people have been told to leave their homes and an “immediate threat to life” warning given as the Sandy wildfire nears mansions close to Los Angeles.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) issued the order as windy conditions have been fanning the flames in southern California.
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Fire fighters say windy conditions have been fanning the flames in southern California Credit: AP
More than 17,000 people in the Simi Valley area have been told to leave their homes Credit: AP
Several neighbourhoods in Simi Valley, a city with a population more than 125,000, are covered by the alert.
The area lies about 30 miles northwest of LA.
Simi Valley is where the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is located which is the burial site of the 40th US President and his wife Nancy.
Bret Michaels of the band Poison also lives there.
Poison singer Bret Michaels posted footage of the smoke seen from his home Credit: Instagram/Bretmichaelsofficial
Britney Spears has a huge mansion in Thousand Oaks, where the flames are said to be heading towards Credit: Getty
The rocker shared a video from his home on Instagram where smoke could be seen in the background.
He wrote in the post: “To all our Southern California friends & fans in the path of this current fire, please stay safe.
“We are thinking of you & grateful for our awesome firefighters!’
The flames are said to be heading towards Thousand Oaks, where Britney Spears, Jamie Foxx, Heather Locklear and Tom Selleck all have mansions.
Simi Valley is home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum Credit: Getty
The fire has already affected 1,400 acres in Southern California Credit: AP
Cal Fire’s website warns of an “immediate threat to life” in some of those parts.
By Tuesday morning, it had consumed more than two square miles of dry brush and destroyed at least one home, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Cal Fire spokesperson Andrew Dowd said the flames were initially pushed by gusts that topped 30 mph, but firefighters were aided by calmer winds overnight.
He added that it was hoped crews would make further progress before winds increased again.
Mr Dowd said: “We’ve made a lot of progress against this fire with those improved weather conditions.”
Cal Fire said it was 5 percent contained with almost 1,400 acres affected.
The cause is being investigated.
It said the fire remains “within its existing footprint, with firefighters monitoring and addressing areas of residual heat along the southeastern flank. Crews remain engaged to ensure hotspots do not flare up”.
Meanwhile, firefighters have also been battling a 23-square-mile blaze on Santa Rosa Island, off the Southern California coast.
The fire destroyed a cabin and an equipment shed and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees.
There was no containment as of Tuesday morning.
Santa Rosa, a popular destination for camping and hiking, is home to island foxes, spotted skunks and elephant seals.
The fire has not been contained and has spread across 14,600 acres, according to Cal Fire.
The cause has also not been confirmed but the authorities are said to be investigating whether there is a links to a stranded sailor who used flares to attract the attention of passing boats.
The US Coast Guard Air Station Ventura has posted video on its Instagram page of the fires, which show huge banks of smoke.
It said a “MH-60T Jayhawk aircrew rescued a 67-year-old mariner after his sailboat crashed into the rocks at Santa Rosa Island”.
The sailor was unhurt “after spending the night stranded on the island where a fire had also been reported”.
It added its aircrew found the man and “hoisted him to safety before transferring him to awaiting medical personnel at Camarillo Airport. The outbreak of the fire is under investigation”.
Last year, wildfires in LA saw 10 people die and more than 180,000 flee to safety.
More than 10,000 homes were burnt to ashes as firefighters struggled to contain the hurricane-wind-fueled flames.
The Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, Kenneth Fire, and Lidia Fire all raged across the city and county with a number of A-listers losing their homes.
