Climate News

A dozen May wildfires in California: Simi Valley's Sandy Fire forces thousands from their homes

A run of wildfires hit California in the third week of May. The largest threat to homes was the Sandy Fire, which broke out around 10:30 a.m. on 18 May near Sycamore Park in Simi Valley, about 40 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The Peninsula, publishing AFP's report, said it had burned 1,364 acres by Monday evening, with gusts up to 35 mph and evacuation orders in parts of Simi Valley and neighbouring Thousand Oaks. One home was destroyed and no casualties were reported.

By 20 May Newsweek was tracking 11 fires across the state. It listed the Sandy Fire at 2,115 acres and 22% contained, the Bain Fire near Jurupa Valley at 1,456 acres, and a 17,554-acre fire on uninhabited Santa Rosa Island. Citing KTLA and CBS News, it said nearly 44,000 people had been evacuated around Simi Valley and more than 24,000 for the Bain Fire, figures CAL Fire had not confirmed. The National Weather Service expected elevated fire weather for the rest of the week.

"At this time, we do not expect the wildfire to reach the City of Los Angeles." — Karen Bass, Los Angeles mayor, via AFP

How each outlet framed it

• FOX 11 Los Angeles — the local story: evacuation zones, the shelter at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park and the couple who lost their home.
• Newsweek — the statewide picture, fire by fire, with acreage and containment.
• The Peninsula (AFP) — the international view: how close the fire came to Los Angeles and what an evacuation warning means.

What happened next: FOX 11 later reported that the Sandy Fire grew to 2,183 acres before evacuation orders were downgraded and lifted.