The Sandy Fire in Simi Valley triggered mandatory evacuation orders for multiple zones on May 18 as firefighters battled a fast-moving blaze that grew to 1,364 acres with 0% containment. Officials opened shelters and evacuation points, and schools were evacuated as crews worked to protect homes.
The Sandy Fire burned in Simi Valley on May 18, prompting mandatory evacuation orders for multiple zones as crews worked to contain a fast-moving wildfire in Ventura County.
Officials said the fire started off Sandy Avenue and spread quickly through the area. Ventura County and CAL FIRE issued evacuation orders for Simi Valley zones 32 through 35, while evacuation warnings were posted for zone 31 and nearby Thousand Oaks areas.
By early afternoon, CAL FIRE said the fire had grown to 184 acres with 0% containment. A later update listed the blaze at 1,364 acres, still 0% contained.
Emergency officials opened shelters and evacuation points as the response expanded. A temporary evacuation point was set up at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, while animal evacuation sites were opened at the Simi Valley Animal Shelter and the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
Schools were also affected. Crestview Elementary and Mountain View Elementary were evacuated to Simi Valley High School.
Pepperdine University said it was monitoring the fire and that campus was not directly threatened.
Authorities continued to post evacuation information as the fire developed, and officials urged residents in affected areas to follow local emergency instructions.
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Initial automated publication.