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Anna Skinner

By Anna Skinner

Associate News Editor

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A fast-moving wildfire burning near Simi Valley continues to spread under gusty winds, with flames pushing toward Los Angeles County communities still under evacuation warnings as firefighters race to increase containment.

The Sandy Fire, fueled by dry conditions and shifting winds, has already scorched over 1,600 acres and prompted evacuation orders and warnings across parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Officials say the wind-driven blaze remains only minimally contained, raising concerns that its path could expand further into densely populated areas as crews struggle to gain control.

Winds spurred the flames after ignition, and winds were expected to remain strong until around noon Tuesday local time, according to an incident update video.

Read More on Weather

A Cal Fire firefighter climbs a hill as he battles the Sandy Fire on May 18, 2026, in Simi Valley, California.

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The threat posed by the Sandy Fire comes after a series of wind‑driven blazes across Southern California last year, including the Palisades and Eaton fires, which rapidly spread under strong offshore winds and low humidity. Those fires highlighted how quickly flames can move through dry brush when gusty conditions align, overwhelming containment efforts and forcing widespread evacuations. Officials have warned that similar weather patterns, especially gusty, shifting winds, can again accelerate fire growth, increasing the risk to communities in the fire’s path.

Containment Levels of Sandy Fire

As of the most recent update from the Ventura County Fire Department and Cal Fire, the Sandy Fire was 5 percent contained. Wind-driven fires can quickly explode out of control, making containment difficult. However, a low containment number doesn't mean firefighters aren't making progress.

Containment refers to how much of a wildfire’s perimeter has been surrounded by control lines, and firefighters are confident the fire won't keep spreading in these areas. For this reason, containment numbers typically move very slowly, Ventura County Fire Department Public Information Officer Andrew Dowd told Newsweek.

Firefighters walk back to their fire truck as the Sandy Fire continues to burn in the hills of Simi Valley, California, on May 18, 2026.

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Simi Valley Evacuations: Latest Orders and Warnings

More than 17,000 people were under evacuation orders in Southern California as the fast-moving wildfire threatened homes in and around Simi Valley and Los Angeles County, the Associated Press reported. The fire has destroyed at least one home.

As of the most recent update shared by Cal Fire, evacuation orders are currently in place for:

"Immediate threat to life," Cal Fire said. "This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is lawfully closed to public access."

Evacuation warnings, in which there is a potential threat to life and/or property, are currently in place for:

The evacuation warnings include some areas within Los Angeles County, roughly 30 miles northwest of the City of Los Angeles.

Cal Fire map shows evacuation orders (red) and evacuation warnings (yellow) as the fire encroached onto Los Angeles County.

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Santa Rosa Island Fires: What We Know

As the Sandy Fire continues to burn, firefighters are battling a much larger, fast-moving wildfire on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park. It has grown to more than 16,000 acres just days after igniting, prompting the National Park Service (NPS) to close the island to the public. The blaze, which officials describe as human-caused and under investigation, is burning in remote, rugged terrain on the island’s southeastern side and has no containment as of May 18.

Fire activity has been fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, making suppression efforts difficult and limiting the use of aerial firefighting resources

What We Know About Burro Fire Spreading Across California

The Burro Fire, burning in Los Angeles County on U.S. Forest Service land in the Angeles National Forest near Burro Peak, has scorched about 30 acres since igniting on May 18. As of the latest Cal Fire update, the wildfire is 20 percent contained, after initially starting at no containment earlier in the day.

Officials say the cause remains under investigation, and evacuation warnings have been issued for at least one zone (LAC‑E169) due to a potential threat to life and property. Fire crews continue suppression efforts as conditions evolve, with the blaze burning at a moderate rate in steep terrain.

10 Wildfires Burning Across California: Cal Fire

A current incident list from Cal Fire identifies the wildfires currently burning across the state as of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday Eastern time:

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