Sandy Fire Update: Evacuation Changes and Repopulation Efforts Underway

The Sandy Fire is currently estimated at 2,114 acres with 30% containment. Fire crews made significant progress on Wednesday, and no additional fire growth was reported overnight. More than 1,120 firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and emergency services personnel remain assigned to the incident under unified command. Crews continue mopping up hotspots, strengthening containment lines, and reducing unburned vegetation near impacted communities as work toward full containment continues.

As conditions allow, public safety personnel will begin coordinated repopulation efforts in select evacuation areas. As of 3:30 p.m., today, Thursday, May 21, 2026, several Evacuation Orders have been downgraded to Evacuation Warnings. All evacuation status changes will continue to be communicated through Ventura County Alert notifications and official emergency communication channels.

Evacuation Updates
• Evacuation Orders downgraded to Evacuation Warnings, include BURR-01b, Bell Canyon 01-05, CHES-01a, SIMI-32c, SIMI-33a, Santa Susana 01 and 02, Simi Valley 27 and 28
• Evacuation Warning "LIFTED" - SIMI 33B

Evacuation Orders
• As of 3:30 p.m. on May 21, 2026, there are five (5) Evacuation Orders currently in effect, including BURR-01a, Meier Canyon 01, SIMI-32a, Simi valley 34, and Simi Valley 35.

Road Closures
• Road closures remain in effect throughout the evacuated areas. For current closures, visit https://emergency.venturacounty.gov/.
Air Quality
• Ventura County Air Quality Control District issued an Air Quality Watch because of the potential for unhealthy air quality conditions caused by smoke. Impacted cities include Simi Valley, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Camarillo, Oxnard, and Ventura. For more information on air quality conditions, please visit the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District website.

Santa Susana Field Laboratory
• Due to the Sandy Fire's proximity to the Santa Susana Field Laboratory area, air quality monitoring operations continue to be conducted in coordination with local, state, and federal agencies. The joint team, comprised of personnel from the Ventura County Fire Department, the Department of Toxic Substances, and the US Department of Energy, is working to monitor air quality in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Samples collected by this team will be analyzed by the Department of Energy laboratory.
• Monitoring equipment was proactively deployed around impacted areas to establish baseline air quality conditions and assist public health and incident officials in evaluating smoke and environmental conditions as firefighting operations continue. Air monitoring information helps incident personnel and public health officials evaluate smoke and air conditions and provide timely updates to the community.
• At this time, as of May 21, 2026, the fire has not crossed into the Santa Susana Field Laboratory property.
• The public can monitor current smoke and air quality conditions using the (opens in a new tab) AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.

School Closures
• Parents and students in the Simi Valley Unified School District were notified that schools and campuses remain CLOSED this week and through the Memorial Day holiday on Monday May 25, 2026. This includes all after school programs and activities. The school district anticipates schools will reopen on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Emergency Evacuation Shelter
• Rancho Santa Susana Community Park - Shelter has been demobilized as of 11:00 a.m. on May 21, 2026.

Large Animal / Livestock Evacuations
• Shelter now closed.

Emergency Operations Centers
• The Ventura County Emergency Operations Center remains activated at Level 2, supporting ongoing response coordination needs. To reach the Emergency Operations Center, please call 805-947-8210. City of Simi Valley Emergency Management personnel remain embedded with Sheriff Emergency Services personnel at the incident command post.
• To reach the City of Simi Valley, call 805-583-6701.