Sandy Fire in Simi Valley: Some still under evacuation warnings as blaze reaches 61% containment

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Last updated: Saturday, May 23, 2026 4:32AM GMT
Sandy Fire in Simi Valley now 30% contained

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- The Sandy Fire continues to burn in Simi Valley, which has scorched more than 2,100 acres and destroyed at least one home.

The fire is 61% contained, and the cause is under investigation.

The wind-driven Sandy Fire erupted on Monday in the hills above Simi Valley, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

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May 23, 2026, 4:32 AM

Map of Sandy Fire evacuation orders, warnings

The Sandy Fire in Simi Valley triggered evacuation orders and warnings for several zones in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

Details on Evacuation orders and warnings here.

The following zones are under an evacuation warning:

  • BURR-01A
  • MEIC-01
  • SIMI-32A
  • SIMI-34B
  • SIMI-35

Meanwhile, a temporary evacuation point is open at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, located at 5005 Los Angeles Avenue. A large animal shelter is open at Ventura County Fairgrounds, located at 10 E Harbor Blvd.

A small animal shelter is open at the Simi Valley Animal Shelter, located at 670 W Los Angeles Ave.

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May 18, 2026, 8:54 PM GMT

Reagan Library closes due to wildfire in Simi Valley

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library closed its doors Monday due to the Sandy Fire burning in Simi Valley, which has reportedly burned at least 720 acres as of 1:53 p.m.

The library made the announcement on their website.

Although the Reagan Library was not in the path of the fire, the decision to close was due to road closures in the area, according to the library's Chief of Staff.

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May 18, 2026, 8:40 PM GMT

Sandy Fire burns 500 acres, Ventura County Fire estimates

The Sandy Fire has now grown to 500 acres, Ventura County Fire reported.

The Sandy Fire has now grown to 500 acres, Ventura County Fire reported.

"We are still anticipating a change in the weather to our advantage," said Andy Van Sciver from Ventura County Fire.

As of 1 p.m., there were still hot spots visible from AIR7.

"We're going to be here for some time," Van Sciver said.

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May 18, 2026, 7:31 PM GMT

Tractor may have hit rock, sparked Sandy Fire, police say

As firefighters work to extinguish the Sandy Fire, police are investigating an incident that may have sparked the blaze.

As firefighters work to extinguish the Sandy Fire, police are investigating an incident that may have sparked the blaze.

Simi Valley police told Eyewitness News that someone called the department just before 10:30 a.m., saying they were clearing brush with a tractor when they struck a rock, which then ignited a fire.

The police department could not confirm if that incident is what started the fire, but police said it's a possibility.

KABC logo
May 18, 2026, 7:51 PM GMT

Windspeed level allows for crucial aerial firefight

The winds were strong in Simi Valley Monday, but they did not reach extreme levels, allowing crews to launch an aerial attack on the Sandy Fire.

Three air tankers and five helicopters battled the blaze from the air, according to Ventura County Fire Department Public Information Officer Andy VanSciver.

The winds were strong in Simi Valley Monday, but they did not reach extreme levels, allowing crews to launch an aerial attack on the Sandy Fire.

The air tankers, which are fixed-wing aircraft, dropped fire retardant on the flames, while the helicopters dropped between 1,000 - 3,000 gallons of water on the hot spots deep inside the canyons, VanSciver said.

VanSciver highlighted the crucial element of having multiple resources in the air at the start of the firefight.

"That was one of the challenges with the Palisades and Eaton fires. The wind was too strong for the air tankers and some of the helicopters," he said.

Referencing the Sandy Fire, VanSciver said: "We're in a good spot right now. We have multiple resources in the air, and they're making good work. And like I said, we're really following up with our ground team with the firefighters, hand crews and bull dozers building containment lines around the fire."