Wildfires spark evacuations near Thousand Oaks; the city is in Ventura County, NW LA area, about 40 miles from downtown LA. Background: large in Ventura County.
Recent weeks have seen a rise in rattlesnake bites and coyote attacks in Southern California. A woman was severely injured by a rattlesnake, while a boy was bitten by a coyote. Authorities warn outdoor enthusiasts to stay alert and take precautions.
A fast-moving brush fire in Simi Valley has grown to multiple hundreds of acres, prompting evacuation orders for parts of Ventura County and Thousand Oaks as winds shift conditions. Firefighters are contending with windy, dry weather and ongoing containment efforts.