A brush fire in Simi Valley, California, known as the “Sandy Fire,” has burned structures and prompted evacuation orders for residents in the area.
The fire, which broke out around 10:50 a.m. (local time), has spread to over 180 acres and, as of the latest KTLA reporting, is 0% contained.
Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of Simi Valley, and evacuation warnings have been extended to the Thousand Oaks area. The latest evacuation orders can be seen here.
Ventura County has set up a temporary evacuation point at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park (5005 Los Angeles Avenue). Animal shelters are open for small animals at the Simi Valley Animal Shelter (670 W Los Angeles Avenue) and for large animals at Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 E Harbor Blvd.).
The Santa Ana winds have played a role in the fire, with gusts from the east reaching up to 25 mph.
Simi Valley Unified School District released a statement saying that students are safe and are being kept indoors due to the poor air quality.
Ventura County Fire Department has dispatched over 200 firefighters to the area, who are “being supported by three air tankers and six helicopters conducting aggressive aerial suppression operations in coordination with ground crews.”
Ventura County firefighters are on scene of the Sandy Fire south of Simi Valley. The fire is approximately 184 acres, with 200 firefighters assigned. Firefighters are being supported by three air tankers and six helicopters conducting aggressive aerial suppression operations in… pic.twitter.com/OOB2QnFkrs
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) May 18, 2026
Simi Valley is located within the Los Angeles 30-Mile Studio Zone and has been featured in television and film over the years. Films like Poltergeist (1982), Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992), The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000), The Cat in the Hat (2003), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), One Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), and Everything Everywhere All at Once (2002), are some of the many films who have filmed on location in Simi Valley.
Television shows that have used Simi Valley as their backdrop include Little House on the Prairie (1974), Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Veep, The Rookie, The Late Thing He Told Me and 9-1-1: Lone Star, among many others.
