Sandy Fire Recovery & Resources

The Sandy Fire broke out on the morning of May 18, 2026 in the hills south of Simi Valley, in Ventura County, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Driven by strong springtime Santa Ana winds, it spread quickly through rugged terrain and prompted evacuation orders and warnings across parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including West Hills and Chatsworth. Crews reached full containment on May 27 after the fire burned roughly 2,183 acres. While the fire forced widespread evacuations, structural loss was limited — one home was destroyed. The cause remained under investigation, with early reports pointing to a spark from equipment rather than a downed power line.

If you were evacuated or affected, this page gathers the local and statewide resources that can help you recover, the practical steps to take, and a free tool to document your losses for an insurance claim.

Local recovery resources (Ventura County)

For the Sandy Fire specifically, these Ventura County and California sources carry the most relevant local information:

Statewide and federal help

Alongside the local resources above, these California and federal programs are available to wildfire survivors:

For the full directory of emergency, financial, insurance, mental-health, and rebuilding help, see our California wildfire resource hub.

Steps to take after the Sandy Fire

1. Wait for the all-clear before returningDon't return to an evacuated area until Ventura County officials confirm it's safe. Check VC Emergency for the current status of evacuation orders and warnings.
2. Watch for smoke, ash, and air qualityEven a contained fire leaves ash and lingering air-quality concerns. Follow South Coast AQMD guidance, and take care handling ash and debris around your property.
3. Document any damage and lossesPhotograph everything before cleanup, make a written inventory of damaged or lost items, and keep receipts for any evacuation-related expenses.
4. Contact your insurer and FEMA if you had lossesNotify your insurance company promptly, and register with FEMA if federal assistance becomes available for the area.