Thousands ordered to evacuate as Southern California wildfire threatens homes

Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate on Monday as a wind-driven wildfire threatened suburban homes in Southern California.The Sandy Fire was reported at around 10am in the hills above Simi Valley, about 48km (30 miles) northwest of Los Angeles.By mid-afternoon it had consumed more than 200 hectares (500 acres) of dry brush and damaged at least one home, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.The flames were pushed by morning gusts that topped 48km/h (30mph) but were subsiding later in the day, said according to fire department spokesman Scott Dettorre.“As the sun sets, those winds will calm down even more,” Dettorre said.Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for several neighbourhoods in Simi Valley, a city of more than 125,000 people that was shrouded in smoke as helicopters performed water drops. Dettorre did not know exactly how many people were ordered to leave.