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.

KABC logo
May 20, 2026, 12:53 PM GMT

Sandy Fire now 15% contained

The Sandy Fire continues to burn in Simi Valley, but crews have increased containment to 15%. Nearly 1,700 acres have burned.

Video from overnight shows flames coming down the hill above a neighborhood as the wind pushed the fire into new areas.

Crews conducted water drops through the night as they try to gain control.

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May 20, 2026, 3:25 AM GMT

Wildfire smoke advisory issued for LA due to multiple wildfires burning nearby

A smoke advisory has been issued for the city of Los Angeles due to multiple wildfires burning in the region, including the Sandy Fire in Simi Valley, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The Los Angeles Department of Public Health is urging everyone in areas where they can smell smoke to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure.

The Southern California Wildfire Response Fire Department is distributing N95 masks at the Red Cross located at the Rancho Simi Rec Center until 11 p.m. Tuesday. Residents are heavily encouraged to stop by and claim a mask.

The Rancho Simi Rec Center is located at 5005 E Los Angeles Ave. in Simi Valley.

An Air Quality Advisory has been issued and will be in effect until at least 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the South Coast AQMD.

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May 20, 2026, 1:51 AM GMT

Simi Valley Unified School District to remain closed on Wednesday due to Sandy Fire

Students in the Simi Valley Unified School District will miss school again on Wednesday as the 1,698-acre Sandy Fire continues to burn.

Simi Valley USD issued a statement, writing, "Out of an abundance of caution and with the knowledge that so many of our families and staff are directly impacted by the Sandy Fire, ALL Simi Valley Unified School District schools and campuses will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20, for most staff and all students."

Only key leadership will be asked to report to work, the district said.

The closure includes all after-school programs that are on Simi Valley USD campuses.

The district said it will continue to monitor the Sandy Fire and will communicate with staff and families again on Wednesday about whether or not schools will reopen on Thursday.

In the latest update, the Ventura County Fire Department said 43,702 residents are under evacuation orders, and 399 residents are under evacuation warnings. A total of 869 firefighters are working to extinguish the blaze.

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May 20, 2026, 1:42 AM GMT

Sandy Fire in Simi Valley grows to 1,698 acres

The Sandy Fire burning in Simi Valley for a second day has grown to 1,698 acres, according to Cal Fire. The blaze is 5% contained.

The Sandy Fire burning in Simi Valley for a second day has grown to 1,698 acres, according to Cal Fire. The blaze is 5% contained.

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place for thousands of Ventura County and Los Angeles County residents.

Eyewitness News watched as hundreds of firefighters from multiple departments worked to battle the blaze. As of Tuesday morning, officials said there were no structures immediately threatened.

"We have additional resources all around the containment lines of the fire. We have strike teams even around here, in case the weather changes or we have flare-ups," said Rico Standley with Ventura County Fire.

Only one home was lost in the blaze on Monday.

According to its website, the Simi Valley Unified School District has not announced if classes will resume on Monday after schools were closed on Tuesday.