An fire in the greater Los Angeles area prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for about 29,000 people on Monday, May 18, without causing major damage or casualties so far.
The “Sandy Fire” broke out on Monday morning near Simi Valley, a suburban city in Ventura County, located about 60 kilometers northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Fueled by strong winds, with gusts reaching 55 km/h, the flames quickly spread through the region’s hills, causing thick columns of smoke darkening the sky.
By Monday evening, they had consumed just over 5.5 square kilometers, according to the CalFire firefighting agency. One house was destroyed, but no casualties have been reported so far. Around 500 firefighters were deployed to battle the flames. They are supported by several planes and helicopters, which are dropping water and fire retardants on the area.
An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of this fire, which comes after an unusually hot winter that dried out the local vegetation. In March, a heatwave set temperature records for this season in various parts of southern California.
“Stay vigilant”
By Monday evening, the fire had not been contained yet, and some areas in the northern part of Los Angeles County were on alert. Firefighters advised residents to remain vigilant and obey evacuation orders when issued, in a region still traumatized by the January 2025 Los Angeles fires, which claimed 31 lives.
“At this time, we do not expect the fire to reach the city of Los Angeles,” explained Democratic Mayor Karen Bass in a statement, while emphasizing that the city’s firefighters are closely monitoring the situation.
Residents in alert zones “are not required to leave immediately, but are encouraged to stay vigilant and prepare to evacuate if the situation deteriorates and an evacuation order is given,” she reiterated.
“High temperatures, low afternoon humidity, and winds linked to the terrain continue to complicate containment operations, pushing fire activity southeast,” warned the CalFire agency in its latest update. “Winds down the valley are expected to keep the fire active along the southeast border into the evening,” they added.
