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By Jason Lemon, Anna Skinner, and Hollie Silverman
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The Sandy Fire has spread rapidly to 1386 acres in Ventura County, prompting evacuation orders and warnings across parts of the Simi Valley as flames threaten homes and infrastructure.
California Governor Gavin Newsom's office said he had been "briefed" and was "actively monitoring" the fast-moving fire, as evacuation orders were issued for several areas around the city less than 40 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Authorities said the fire ignited late Monday morning near Sandy Avenue and was spreading quickly in dry, windy conditions.
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"This is a wind-driven fire," Ventura County Fire Department Public Information Officer Andrew Dowd told Newsweek. "Wind-driven fires move very quickly."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) was closely monitoring the blaze and has "deployed resources on the ground – including strike teams, dozers, a hand crew, and helicopters – to assist local crews in firefighting efforts."
"While there is no immediate threat to Angelenos, LAFD has prepositioned resources throughout the San Fernando Valley and we encourage all residents to stay alert," Bass said in a post on X Monday night.
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Evacuation Orders Issued: Map
According to a map shared by Cal Fire, evacuation orders were expanded for:
- Simi Valley 32a
- Simi Valley 33a
- Simi Valley 34
- Simi Valley 35
- MEIC-01
- BURR-01
- BELL-01
- BELL-02
- BELL-04
- BELL-05
- CHES-01
- SASU-01
- SASU-02
An evacuation order means there is an immediate threat to life. It is a lawful directive to leave right away, and the area is often closed to public access. Residents should evacuate immediately and follow routes and instructions from authorities.
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Evacuation warnings were issued for:
- BOXC-02
- BOXC-03
As well as Los Angeles County locations:
- WTH-U045
- HID-C501
- AGO-C304
- CAL-C401
- LAC-WOOLSEY
- LAC-LAKEMANOR
- CSB-U024
- MTV-U048
- LFD-0405
- LFD-0469
- LFD-0343
- LFD-0295
- LFD-0471
An evacuation warning means there is a potential or impending threat to life and property. Residents are not yet required to leave but should be ready to evacuate quickly. Authorities advise people to pack essentials, stay alert for updates, and leave early if they need extra time, such as older adults or people with pets or livestock.
An evacuation shelter has been set up at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park at 5005 E Los Angeles Avenue in the Simi Valley.
There are also animal evacuation shelters including one for small animals at Simi Valley Animal Shelter, 670 W. Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley. Another for large animals is open at Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 E. Harbor Boulevard, Ventura.
"California is mobilizing resources to support Ventura County communities threatened by the Sandy Fire. This activation will ensure responders have the support needed to continue protecting lives and homes as dangerous fire conditions persist," Newsom said in a statement on Monday.
"We are deeply grateful to the crews on the front lines and urge Californians in impacted areas to follow guidance from local officials."
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Evacuated as Sandy Fire Grows
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley has been evacuated as a precaution as crews battle the fire.
"Due to the Sandy Fire, the Reagan Library has been evacuated and is closed for the remainder of the day," the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation posted on X.
The library holds about 16,000 books as part of a broader printed collection of roughly 74,000 items. Most of its holdings consist of archival materials, including millions of pages of documents, photographs, recordings and artifacts tied to Reagan’s life and presidency.
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Wind Warnings
On Monday, a wind advisory was in effect through the afternoon across Ventura County and nearby mountain corridors.
Gusty, dry winds are especially hazardous during active wildfires because they can rapidly push flames across terrain, carry embers ahead of the fire line and ignite new spot fires, and make it harder for crews to establish containment lines.
Strong winds can also knock down tree limbs and power lines, creating additional ignition risks, while shifting directions can cause unpredictable fire behavior.
Last year, powerful winds fueled multiple destructive fires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires, which swept rapidly through densely populated neighborhoods, burning roughly 40,000 acres, destroying thousands of homes and businesses, and forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.
The fires overwhelmed emergency response systems and left lasting economic and environmental damage, underscoring the growing risk of fast-moving urban wildfires in Southern California.
Sandy Fire: Damage to Structures Reported
Photos published by local media in California showed structures burning, with KTLA reporting that at least two structures had caught fire on Monday.
Footage from Fox 11 shows thick smoke rising from the flames.
What Happens Next as Firefighters Battle Blaze
Fire crews are expected to focus on aggressive containment efforts as the Sandy Fire continues to burn with no containment, with multiple air tankers, helicopters and ground teams already deployed to slow its spread and defend threatened structures.
Officials are likely to expand or adjust evacuation zones as conditions change, particularly with dry fuels and winds helping drive the fire’s rapid growth.
Residents in affected areas are urged to monitor updates and follow evacuation instructions as additional resources arrive and crews work to establish control lines.
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