A fast-moving brush fire, labeled the Sandy Fire, is burning in and around Simi Valley, forcing widespread evacuations and impacting tens of thousands of residents in eastern Ventura County and the northwest San Fernando Valley.
The Sandy Fire has burned nearly 1,700 acres since it first broke out. Containment is now up to 15%, according to CAL Fire. Evacuation orders and warnings have expanded quickly, with local officials reporting more than 17,000 people evacuated as firefighters work toward total containment.
Ventura County’s emergency site confirms active evacuation orders in parts of Simi Valley, along with an overnight shelter at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park and dedicated locations for both small pets and large animals such as horses and livestock.
Residents are being urged to leave immediately if under an order, avoid returning to closed areas, and limit outdoor exposure to smoke whenever possible.
What each evacuation level means
Local agencies and CAL FIRE use specific language for evacuation notices; understanding the differences is critical.
Here is what you need to do for each:
- Evacuation Order (Mandatory): Leave immediately. There is a lawful order to evacuate because of an immediate threat to life and property. Do not wait.
- Evacuation Warning (Voluntary): Prepare to leave. There is a potential threat to life and property. You should have your “go-bag” ready and your vehicle packed. If you have large animals, mobility issues, or require extra time, you should leave during a warning rather than waiting for an order.
- Shelter-In-Place: Stay indoors. Close all windows and doors to protect yourself from smoke or immediate hazards outside.
Always verify your specific address using official tools like VC Emergency or CAL FIRE maps rather than social media alone.
Zones under evacuation
On the morning of Wednesday, May 20, the following zones are under Evacuation Order according to the Ventura County website:
- Santa Susana 01
- Santa Susana 02
- Bell Canyon 01
- Bell Canyon 02
- Bell Canyon 03
- Bell Canyon 04
- Bell Canyon 05
- Cheseboro 01
- Burro Flats 01
- Meier Canyon 01
- Simi Valley 27
- Simi Valley 28
- Simi Valley 32A
- Simi Valley 33
- Simi Valley 34
- Simi Valley 35
Key resources and ways to get help
- Ventura County emergency information (VC Emergency): Live updates on evacuation orders, shelters, road closures, maps, and health guidance.
- Sandy Fire incident page (Ventura County): Details about the Simi-area brush fire, including evacuation zones, shelters and animal services.
- CAL FIRE incident information
State-level updates on acres burned, containment, and evacuation information. - Interactive Maps: Use this map for live updates on zone evacuations in Ventura County.
- Fire Perimeter: Use the CAL FIRE incident map to monitor the Sandy Fire’s acreage and containment percentage.
- Emergency Alerts: You can find emergency alerts for Ventura County here.
Shelters and evacuation centers
Always double‑check locations and status before you go; they can change quickly.
- An emergency shelter is open for overnight stay at:
Animal Shelters
For information on animal evacuations, please call Ventura County Animal Services at 805-388-4341.
Small Animal Shelters are open at:
- Simi Valley Animal Shelter (Small domestic animals only) 670 W Los Angeles Avenue Simi Valley, CA 93065
- Camarillo Animal Shelter (Small domestic animals only) 600 Aviation Drive Camarillo, CA 93010
A Large Animal Shelter for horses and livestock is open at:
- Ventura County Fairgrounds 10 E Harbor Blvd. Ventura, CA 93001
Air quality measures
Ventura County health officials warn that smoke from the nearby wildfire could push air quality into an unhealthy range, especially as conditions shift with the wind and the fire continues to burn.
And Angelenos across the city are reporting seeing and smelling smoke in the air.
Here’s how to lower your exposure and protect yourself from smoke:
- Spend as little time outdoors as possible and stay inside when you can.
- If you’re able, stay in buildings with filtered air or temporarily relocate to an area with cleaner air until conditions improve.
- Keep windows and doors closed unless extreme heat makes it unsafe to do so.
- Use your home or car air conditioner on “recirculate” or “recycle” mode, and keep filters clean so you’re not pulling smoky air indoors.
- If you or your child have asthma or another lung condition, stick closely to your treatment plan and take medications as prescribed. Contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse or think about leaving the area.
- If you must be outside in a smoke-impacted area, a well-fitted N95 mask can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in wildfire smoke.
- Anytime you can smell smoke or see ash falling, it’s safer to be indoors. People with heart or lung disease should be especially cautious in these conditions.
By following these guidelines and staying informed, you can enhance your safety during a wildfire.
