Wildfire Forces Evacuation of 10,000 Homes in Southern California

by Snejana Farberov

Over 20,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes in suburban Los Angeles as a massive wildfire that ignited Monday continued raging in Southern California.

Some 750 firefighters battled the fast-moving Sandy Fire through the night as it raged in Ventura County, damaging at least one home in the area, according to local reports. More than 10,000 homes were in the mandatory evacuation zone.

By Tuesday morning, the wind-driven inferno has scorched through nearly 1,400 acres and was 0% contained, according to the latest information from CAL FIRE.

"California is mobilizing resources to support Ventura County communities threatened by the Sandy Fire," California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. "We are deeply grateful to the crews on the front lines and urge Californians in impacted areas to follow guidance from local officials."

California’s first major wildfire of 2026 ignited just before 10:50 a.m. on Monday, May 18, near Sandy Avenue in the hills above Simi Valley and raced through dry brush as winds surpassed 30 mph.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No injuries have been reported.

Evacuation orders requiring residents to leave immediately were issued for 10,000 homes in Simi Valley and nearby communities, such as Bell Canyon and Santa Susana, impacting an estimated 24,000 residents.

An additional 3,500 homes were under evacuation warnings signaling a potential threat to life and property.

In additional to the fire crews working on the ground to build containment lines around the blaze, night flying water-dropping helicopters supported suppression efforts by targeting hotspots.

"We have made tremendous progress on this fire," Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Andrew Dowd told the station KLTA. "Zero percent containment, don’t let that number fool you. A lot of great work has been done."

A resident uses a garden hose to watering his front yard plants as the Sandy Fire burns in the hills close to a residential area in Simi Valley, California — A resident uses a garden hose to watering his front yard plants as the Sandy Fire burns in the hills close to a residential area in Simi Valley, CA. (AFP via Getty Images)

The Sandy Fire rages on a hill behind houses at a residential area in Simi Valley, California — The Sandy Fire has burned through nearly 1,400 acres by Tuesday morning. (AFP via Getty Images)

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement Monday evening that city fire officials do not expect the Sandy Fire to reach L.A., but evacuation warnings were issued for portions of West Hills and Chatsworth communities "out of an abundance of caution."

Meanwhile, California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to bolster the response to the wildfire—a move Newsom said "will ensure responders have the support needed to continue protecting lives and homes as dangerous fire conditions persist."

Simi Valley Unified School District said all schools would be closed on Tuesday.

Smoke from the Sandy Fire rises as it burns near a residential area in Simi Valley, California, on May 18, 2026 — Hundreds of firefighters worked through the night battling the inferno in the hills above Simi Valley. (AFP via Getty Images)

The Sandy Fire comes 16 months after the Palisades and Eaton fires devastated large parts of Southern California, killing at least 31 people and destroying more than 18,000 homes and other structures.

The Ventura County Incident Information Line hotline is active, and residents with questions related to evacuations and sheltering can call 805-465-6650.

The latest information on evacuation orders can be also found on the Ventura County Emergency Information website.

Developing story, check back for updates.

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