Sandy Fire Scorches 2,183 Acres Near Simi Valley

Ventura County firefighters said the Sandy Fire, a wind-driven wildfire that broke out at 10:50 a.m. on May 18 off Sandy Avenue in Simi Valley, had burned 2,183 acres and was 71% contained by Sunday morning. CAL FIRE listed the cause as under investigation and said the Ventura County Fire Department remained the agency with jurisdiction over the fire. One structure was destroyed and two were damaged, according to the state incident page. The fire erupted in the hills above Simi Valley and quickly pushed into rugged terrain near neighborhoods in eastern Ventura County. Evacuation orders and warnings spread across parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties in the first days of the fire, while air tankers, helicopters and ground crews worked to slow its advance. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said on May 18 that California had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help cover eligible suppression costs. (fire.ca.gov) ### How large is the fire now, and what is the latest containment figure? CAL FIRE said on May 24 that the Sandy Fire remained at 2,183 acres and that containment had increased to 71%. The state incident page said the latest update was posted at 10:12 a.m. Sunday, with containment noted at 9:11 a.m. KCLU reported that the mapped acreage rose slightly to 2,183 acres by May 23 as firefighters kept working on hotspots. (abc7.com) Ventura County emergency officials said mop-up operations would continue across the fire perimeter and that crews would patrol the area for the next few days. ### What damage has been confirmed? CAL FIRE said one structure was destroyed and two were damaged in the fire area. (fire.ca.gov) ABC7 reported by May 22 that at least one home had been destroyed as residents began returning to some neighborhoods. The state incident page said 415 personnel, 15 engines, six dozers, one water tender and three crews were assigned as of the latest update. (kclu.org) Earlier in the week, more than 750 firefighters had been assigned as the fire expanded and threatened communities near Simi Valley and Bell Canyon. ### What triggered the evacuations around Simi Valley? ABC7 said the fire triggered evacuation orders and warnings for several zones in Ventura and Los Angeles counties as it moved through the hills above Simi Valley. (fire.ca.gov) A May 20 CAL FIRE incident update listed evacuation orders for zones including Bell Canyon, Burr, Meier Canyon, Santa Susana and several Simi Valley sectors, with shelters opened for residents and animals. CBS Los Angeles reported that all evacuation orders were lifted on May 22 as containment reached 61%, though some warnings remained in place at that point. KCLU later reported that all evacuation orders and warnings had been canceled. ### Do officials know how the fire started? CAL FIRE said the cause remained under investigation in its latest incident update. (abc7.com) The state page did not identify a confirmed ignition source. CBS Los Angeles reported that Simi Valley police received a report on May 18 that an individual had hit a rock with a tractor near the 2600 block of Rudolph Drive, sparking the fire. (cbsnews.com) Sgt. Rick Morton told the station that people clearing large properties can strike something not visible and ignite surrounding material, but officials have not posted that account as a final cause determination. (fire.ca.gov) ### What are firefighters doing now? A May 23 update on the CAL FIRE incident page said an infrared drone mission identified remaining hotspots inside the fire perimeter. The agency said firefighters were sent on targeted “search and destroy” missions to dig out and extinguish pockets of heat in rugged terrain while crews strengthened containment lines. (cbsnews.com) Ventura County emergency officials said this would be the final routine update for the incident. The county also said air-quality monitoring was being conducted around the fire perimeter because of the fire’s proximity to the Santa Susana Field Laboratory area. ### What happens next for residents and schools? Ventura County emergency officials said road-closure information would continue to be posted through the Ventura County Public Works Agency. (fire.ca.gov) The fire information hotline remained listed as 805-465-6650 on the state incident page. The Ventura County emergency site said Simi Valley schools are expected to reopen on Tuesday, May 26, after closures during the fire and the Memorial Day holiday. (emergency.venturacounty.gov) Firefighters are expected to remain focused on mop-up and patrols in the coming days as the investigation into the cause continues. (emergency.venturacounty.gov) (fire.ca.gov)