US: Wildfire near California’s Simi Valley grows to more than 1,300 acres.

RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “VENTURA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT” HANDOUT —EDITORIAL USE ONLY— SHOTLIST SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, US (MAY 18, 2026) (VENTURA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT - RESTRICTED) 1. WILDFIRE BURNING THROUGH HILLSIDE 2. AERIAL SHOTS OF WILDFIRE BURNING THROUGH FORESTED AREA 3. VARIOUS OF FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDING TO WILDFIRESIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, US - MAY 18 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “VENTURA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT” HANDOUT —EDITORIAL USE ONLY—: A wildfire near California’s Simi Valley grew to more than 1,300 acres on Monday, May 18, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and destroying at least one home, according to Ventura County fire officials. The Sandy Fire broke out near Sycamore Park in Ventura County late Monday morning and rapidly spread with no containment reported by evening. Nearly 30,000 people remained under mandatory evacuation orders as more than 200 firefighters battled the blaze from the ground and air. Footage released by the Ventura County Fire Department showed flames and thick smoke spreading across hillsides near residential areas.