As someone who lives in Los Angeles, I can tell you that the last thing anybody here wants to see is another devastating wildfire. I just recently visited the almost destroyed neighborhood of the Pacific Palisades to do a photo journey for RedState, and it was heart-wrenching.
In January 2025, the disastrous LA area Palisades and Eaton fires resulted in 12 deaths and 7,149 structures destroyed.
Unfortunately, on Monday, a fast-moving wildfire broke out in Simi Valley, a Ventura County city about 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Over 200 acres have caught on fire and evacuations have been ordered. The images coming out are disturbing:
BREAKING: Sandy Fire Raging in Simi Valley
— TaraBull (@TaraBull) May 18, 2026
A fast-moving wildfire dubbed the Sandy Fire has erupted in Simi Valley, forcing evacuations and burning multiple structures.
Fire has grown to 184 acres and growing, currently 0% contained
200 firefighters on scene battling the blaze pic.twitter.com/ydCcFHSijp
Here’s what we know:
The Sandy Fire broke out around 10:50 a.m. in the 600 block of Sandy Avenue and has exploded to at least 180 acres. It’s 0% contained as of 11:30 a.m..
At least 200 firefighters are on the scene, including from Ventura County, L.A. County and CAL FIRE. They’re actively engaged in structure defense efforts, including dropping water and coordinating with ground resources to try to bring control lines in and around the fire before it spreads into the thicker vegetation in the Simi Hills.
There have been no reports of any injuries at this time.
🚨 UPDATE: The Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California has been EVACUATED as this brush fire explodes
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 18, 2026
Almost 200 acres have been burned, and at least one home is on fire.
Pray firefighters get a quick handle on this 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/7tAKC6dZtZ
MORE: Google Maps Just 'Unburned' the Pacific Palisades — and Infuriated Angelenos Noticed
A RedState Photo Odyssey: The Devastation of the Pacific Palisades Is America's Wake-Up Call
RedState Managing Editor Jennifer Van Laar sent out prayers for her friends in the area:
All my Simi Valley friends - hopefully you already got evacuation orders or warnings on your phone for the Sandy Fire. This thing went from 0 to 200 acres in less than an hour and is already threatening structures in Bridle Path. Since most people are at work, this can be bad. 🙏🏻… pic.twitter.com/8aP90fGHHC
— Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) May 18, 2026
CBS LA is reporting that the fire may have been started by an individual who hit a rock with his tractor:
[Simi Valley Police Department] Sgt. Rick Morton said when people are clearing large pieces of property, oftentimes they strike something not seen to the naked eye, which may cause whatever they're clearing to catch on fire.
As of this writing, the fire is still spreading quickly, and at least one structure has been burned. I hope that if we have to update this story, it will be to tell our readers that the conflagration has been contained.
While Karen Bass is worried about getting meth-heads new grills, the LAFD has 3 dozen LESS firefighters than we had when the Palisades Fire hit. Folks, you need to vote like your life depends on it, because it does. pic.twitter.com/J2yJXFI3xM
— Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) May 18, 2026
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