Reagan library evacuated due to California wildfire

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and other surrounding areas were evacuated due to a large wildfire that erupted Wednesday in Southern California.

The fire began before dawn in the Simi Valley, northwest of Los Angeles, and within two hours destroyed at least 250 acres, NBC News reported.

{mosads}The blaze, dubbed the Easy Fire, has spread between Simi Valley and nearby Moorpark, according to tweets from the Ventura County Fire Department.

“It’s getting close up to the Reagan Library so we’re conducting an evacuation,” Simi Valley Police Cmdr. Adam Darough told NBC News.

FF’s responding to a brush fire between Simi and Moorpark. Units are not on-scene but reporting a large fire. @VCFD @CountyVentura pic.twitter.com/W57kkMgWYt

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) October 30, 2019

The library is located in the middle of the designated mandatory evacuation area in the county. Firefighters were reportedly on scene Wednesday.

Employees told Fox News that they could see the fire but don’t expect it to hit the library, describing the evacuation as a precaution.

Video: #EasyFire burns near a home below the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. https://t.co/gSbcgVBEg8 pic.twitter.com/1Fsh7o1RfZ

— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) October 30, 2019

Reagan Library spokeswoman Melissa Giller told The Associated Press that the part of the building with the archives is facing away from the fire. Giller added that goats are brought in each year to get rid of the flammable vegetation near the library.

Officials are describing the blaze as “fast-moving,” according to Ventura County’s emergency website. At least 150 firefighters took on the fire Wednesday morning, with 30 mph winds provoking the flames.

Winds are expected to increase to above 30 mph as a high wind warning is in effect until Thursday at noon, according to the National Weather Service.

The flames have caused closures to the area’s highways and schools, the network reported.

Fires have erupted this week across California, forcing thousands to evacuate.