Thomas Fire: Simi Valley residents line up for free filter masks amid smoky conditions

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Smoke from the 252,600-acre Thomas Fire continued to waft into the Simi Valley area on Friday, prompting residents to form a long line outside the city's police department, where filter masks were distributed.

Demand for the free N-95 masks was so great that the agency ran out of them, according to a news release.

"If you were one of the many who did receive a mask, we appreciate your patience during the distribution process," the police statement said. "We know there was a great deal of traffic congestion around the police station for the past hour."

The agency said it did not expect to receive more masks from the Ventura Department of Public Health.

Residents were advised to "remain indoors should the smoke become overbearing."

A Cal Fire engineer was killed while working the Thomas Fire, which has destroyed 1,009 structures and was 35 percent contained as of Friday evening.