Firefighters made progress overnight and into Tuesday morning as they continued to protect homes in the Simi Valley area from the nearly 1,400-acre Sandy Fire in Ventura County.
Minimal fire growth was reported overnight after the fire started late Monday morning and destroyed at least one home in a neighborhood at the base of a burning hillside. The fire was estimated at 1,385 acres with containment at 5 percent.
Evacuation warnings and orders remained in effect for some parts of Ventura County.
A temporary evacuation point was established at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park 5005 Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley. A human shelter was established at Shepherd Church – Family Life Center Building in Porter Ranch.
On Tuesday evening, an evacuation warning was issued for Chatsworth. Residents were advised to prepare to evacuate should conditions worsen, the LAFD said.
No injuries were reported.
Helicopters made water-dropping runs on the fire through the night as weather conditions in the area improved. Video from NewsChopper4 early Tuesday showed helicopters dropping water on hot spots in steep terrain covered with brush.
Winds were expected to increase Tuesday morning, raising the possibility of flare-ups.
Details about a cause of the fire were not immediately available, but police told NBCLA that someone called authorities to report that he was clearing brush and struck a rock, possibly sparking the fire.
Bell Canyon residents raced to vacate their communities and get their large animals to safety as the Sandy Fire burned through Simi Valley. Darsha Philips reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department warned that some areas of the San Fernando Valley could see and smell smoke. It also warned that winds fanning the flames could cause the blaze to reach LA County. The South Coast Air Quality Management District to issue a wildfire smoke advisory through Tuesday evening.
Through May 12, Cal Fire reported 1,204 wildland fires statewide that burned 18,340 acres. Last year at this time, the agency reported 1,292 fires that burned 63,677 acres. The state’s five-year average is 1,855 fires and 21,969 acres.