Los Angeles, Ca
Sandy Fire forces evacuation of nearly 44,000 Simi Valley residents
More than 43,000 Simi Valley residents are under evacuation orders, while hundreds of others under evacuation warnings wait to see if they are next as the stubborn, wind-whipped Sandy Fire continues to rage.
The fire erupted around 10:45 a.m. Monday in the area of Sandy Avenue, before quickly spreading amid gusty winds and burning a home on Trickling Brook Court to the ground, as well as two vehicles that were outside the residence.
As of Cal Fire’s latest advisory at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night, the fire has scorched nearly 1,700 acres, with firefighters gaining 5% containment on the blaze.
While cooler overnight temperatures diminished the intensity of the fire, unpredictable winds proved a challenge, igniting a spot fire that forced Ventura County Fire Department officials to deploy more than 100 additional firefighters, bringing the total to 869 crew members battling the blaze.
Firefighters from several different agencies made structure protection their top priority, preventing flames from encroaching on homes with combined ground and air assaults.
Many residents under evacuation warnings have already left their homes, though many others, like Tadd Wooton, have chosen to remain and keep a close eye on the conditions.
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Fire crews battle the Sandy Fire Monday, May 18, 2026, in Simi Valley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) -
Firefighters protecting a Simi Valley property dangerously close to a home as two trees go up in a fiery inferno on May 19, 2026. (TNLA) -
Fire crews conduct a firing operation to control the Sandy Fire Monday, May 18, 2026, in Simi Valley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) -
A brush fire threatens homes in Simi Valley on May 18, 2026. (KTLA) -
Aerial footage of the wind-driven Sandy, which erupted early Monday, and continues to be a challenge for firefighters on May 19, 2026. (KTLA) -
Flames are seen engulfing a structure in southern Simi Valley on Monday, May 18, 2026. (KTLA) -
Sky5 was over the Sandy Fire burning structures in Simi Valley, Calif. on Monday, May 18, 2026. (KTLA) -
The Sandy Fire damages a property Monday, May 18, 2026, in Simi Valley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) -
A wind-driven wildfire that erupted on May 18, 2026, in Ventura County has scorched thousands of acres and burned one home to the ground. (KTLA)
“We’ve got a good fire break here, so we’re not leaving,” he told KTLA’s Chris Wolfe. “We’re hoping for the best. It is a little scary, but the wind is going the other direction. So, we’re going to wait it out. We’ve got the cars packed and ready to go.”
Chris Martinez told KTLA that while they are under evacuation orders, they plan to wait and see if the fire gets worse and, if so, they will be ready to go.
“We have our bags ready and we’ll be ready to go if needed,” he explained. “I want to thank all the firefighters. They are truly one of our greatest heroes.”
One resident shared time-lapse footage from her doorbell camera that shows just how fast clear skies devolved into a firestorm barreling through the neighborhood, chasing people and their pets out of their homes.
“You saw what we got engulfed by,” Jen Borrow, who shared the footage with KTLA, said. “It was like the middle of a tornado.”
Officials with Simi Valley Unified School District announced that all campuses will be closed Wednesday, with only essential personnel reporting for work.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Evacuation orders have been added to areas east of the fire. All residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts through the Ventura County website.
Additional information on the Sandy Fire can be found through Cal Fire advisories.