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Climate & Environment

Sandy Fire is burning in Simi Valley

White smoke is pictured in the distance beyond a row of homes. A fire truck is parked on the street along with other vehicles.
Smoke from the Sandy Fire fills a Simi Valley neighborhood on May 18, 2026.
(
Lance Orozco
/
KCLU
)

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Ventura County firefighters are on the scene of a fast-moving small brush fire burning on the south side of Simi Valley.

The fire started near Sequoia and Sandy Avenues. It's being whipped by gusty winds, which are pushing the fire away from neighborhoods, but it's still threatening some homes.

Sandy Fire, by the numbers

  • Size: 500 acres
  • Containment: 0%
  • Firefighters: 200+
  • Air support: Four helicopters, one air tanker
  • Evacuation orders: Simi Valley zones 32, 33, 34, and 35
  • Pre-Evacuation warnings: Simi Valley zone 31 and Thousand Oaks zones 6 and 7

View the detailed map of current evacuation areas.

An evacuation order and warning map for the Sandy Fire, burning in Simi Valley. The fire started on May 18, 2026.
Crestview Elementary and Mountain View Elementary schools have been evacuated to Simi Valley High School.

A temporary evacuation point has been established at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley.

Evacuation centers for small animals have been set up at the Simi Valley Animal Shelter at 670 W Los Angeles Avenue, and the Camarillo Animal Shelter at 600 Aviation Drive in Camarillo. Livestock can be taken to the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 E Harbor Blvd. in Ventura.

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VC Alert has enabled its information hotline, which is at 805-465-6650.

KCLU will provide the latest fire updates on-air and online throughout the day.

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