NPR for the California Coast.

© 2026 KCLU Public Radio
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
California Coast News

Updates: The latest on the Sandy Fire burning in Simi Valley

KCLU | By KCLU Staff
Published May 18, 2026 at 10:55 AM PDT
Flames from the Sandy Fire dance along a hillside near Simi Valley on May 18, 2026.
Lance Orozco
/
KCLU
Flames from the Sandy Fire dance along a hillside near Simi Valley on May 18, 2026.

Containment is now at 90% for the 2,183-acre Sandy Fire. All evacuation orders have been lifted.

Updated May 27, 2026, at 10:50 a.m.

As of Wednesday morning, the Sandy Fire has burned an estimated 2,183 acres and is 90% contained. Forward progress of the fire has been stopped. Firefighting crews are performing mop-up operations over the next few days and concentrating on remaining hot spots.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Sandy Fire started around 10 a.m. Monday, May 18, near Sequoia and Sandy Avenues in Simi Valley. It grew quickly, leading to multiple evacuation orders and pre-evacuation notices. One home was destroyed.

A Sandy Fire flareup in a small park between some homes in eastern Ventura County Tuesday afternoon.
Lance Orozco
/
KCLU
A Sandy Fire flareup in a small park between some homes in eastern Ventura County Tuesday afternoon.

Sandy Fire, by the numbers

  • Size: 2,183 acres
  • Containment: 90%

Ventura County's information hotline for the fire is 805-465-6650.

Sandy Fire photos

A woman evacuating a horse from a Simi Valley neighborhood during the Sandy Fire Monday.
Lance Orozco
/
KCLU
A woman evacuating a horse from a Simi Valley neighborhood during the Sandy Fire Monday.
Fire
Lance Orozco
/
KCLU
The Sandy Fire destroyed a home in Simi Valley on May 18, 2026.
Smoke from the Sandy Fire billows from a rugged hillside near Simi Valley on May 18, 2026.
Lance Orozco
/
KCLU
Smoke from the Sandy Fire billows from a rugged hillside near Simi Valley on May 18, 2026.
Sandy Fire from Sandy Ave
Caroline Feraday
/
KCLU
Sandy Fire from Sandy Ave
Caroline Feraday
/
KCLU
Wildfire investigators on the scene of the Sandy Fire on May 18, 2026. The fire's cause is unknown and under investigation.
Caroline Feraday
/
KCLU
The Sandy Fire burns in rugged terrain in south Simi Valley. The fire started on May 18, 2026.
Caroline Feraday
/
KCLU
The Sandy Fire burns in Simi Valley on May 18, 2026.
Caroline Feraday
/
KCLU
The Sandy Fire is burning in rugged terrain in south Simi Valley. Photo taken Monday, May 18, 2026.
A helicopter flies through heavy smoke from the Sandy Fire on May 18, 2026.
Caroline Feraday
/
KCLU
A helicopter flies through heavy smoke from the Sandy Fire on May 18, 2026.
Smoke from the Sandy Fire is seen from the California Lutheran University campus on May 18, 2026. The fire is burning in Simi Valley.
Mark Duggan
/
KCLU
Smoke from the Sandy Fire is seen from the California Lutheran University campus on May 18, 2026. The fire is burning in Simi Valley.
Tags
Local News cal coast newscalifornia coast newslocal newsSandy Firesimi valleyfires