Firefighters are working to contain the Sandy Fire in Southern California after it broke out on Monday. Although the blaze does not threaten the same concentration of high-profile celebrity homes seen during last year’s Palisades Fire, public records reviewed by Newsweek indicate that several celebrities have ties to the area, including family members who still live there.
The Sandy Fire, which is burning north of Los Angeles in Simi Valley, comes as former The Hills star Spencer Pratt is running for Los Angeles mayor after losing his home in the Palisades Fire. The fire destroyed dozens of celebrity homes and has helped rally celebrity support around Pratt, who’s currently polling second in the mayoral race. Pratt has now pointed to the Sandy Fire in his criticism of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ leadership.
Map Shows Celebrity Homes at Risk in Simi Valley Fire
Professional skateboarder Mike Capaldi grew up in Simi Valley and still lives there, and his house is in the mandatory evacuation zone. Simi Valley borders Calabasas, the hometown of the Kardashian-Jenner family, and some of their homes are on the line of the mandatory evacuation order.
On the opposite side of the evacuation zone from Capaldi’s home is Kim Kardashian’s house. It’s currently under an evacuation warning, which means the person should be prepared to evacuate, but it’s right against the mandatory evacuation zone. Kris Jenner and Khloe Kardashian, who live in the same neighborhood, are also under an evacuation warning.
Celebrity Childhood Homes at Risk in Simi Valley Fire
Several celebrities grew up in Simi Valley and live on the border of the evacuation zone.
Actor Shailene Woodley grew up in Simi Valley, just outside where evacuations are currently in place, although she’s since moved out of the area. Actor Danielle Savre, known for her role on the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Station 19, also grew up in Simi Valley. While she no longer lives in Simi Valley, her parents still own her childhood home, according to records reviewed by Newsweek.
Jason Dolley got his start on Disney Channel, acting in several movies and television shows. He grew up in Simi Valley, and records reviewed by Newsweek show his parents still own and live in his childhood home.
Actor Maiara Walsh, known for her role as Ana Solis on Desperate Housewives and as Mandi Weatherly in Mean Girls 2, also grew up in Simi Valley. She’s moved out of the area, but her parents still own and live in her childhood home, which is in the evacuation order zone.
What To Know About the Simi Valley Fire
The Sandy Fire began on Monday morning and quickly spread through brush-covered hills in Simi Valley, roughly 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Fire officials said the blaze ignited near Sandy Avenue and rapidly expanded amid dry vegetation and gusty winds, conditions that have fueled several Southern California wildfires in recent years.
By Tuesday, the fire had grown to more than 1,300 acres, with containment at only 5 percent. Officials described it as a “fast-moving, wind-driven fire,” meaning flames were being pushed across terrain at a pace that challenged crews’ ability to establish containment lines.
The fire has already destroyed at least one home and is threatening homes in several neighborhoods. Hundreds of firefighters, supported by helicopters and air tankers, have been deployed to slow the spread and protect homes, with crews working overnight to target hot spots and reinforce fire lines.
Weather remains a key concern in the firefight. While cooler overnight temperatures helped crews make some progress, forecasters warned that shifting winds and low humidity could intensify fire activity again, making containment efforts unpredictable.
Evacuations in Place for Simi Valley
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for large portions of Simi Valley and surrounding communities as the fire threatened homes and infrastructure. Over 13,000 people were told to leave their homes, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Evacuation zones cover multiple neighborhoods in Ventura County and extend into parts of Los Angeles County, including nearby communities that are under warning. Officials distinguish between evacuation orders—requiring residents to leave immediately due to imminent danger—and evacuation warnings, which advise residents to prepare to evacuate if conditions worsen.
Authorities established shelters and evacuation points to accommodate displaced residents. A primary evacuation center opened at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, while facilities such as the Ventura County Fairgrounds were used to house large animals, reflecting the region’s rural and equestrian character.
How Did the Simi Valley Wildfire Start?
The exact cause of the Sandy Fire remains under investigation, but early reports from authorities point to a possible accidental ignition during brush-clearing work. Law enforcement officials said they received a report that an individual using a tractor may have struck a rock, creating sparks that ignited nearby dry vegetation.
Such incidents are not uncommon in fire-prone regions, especially during periods of high fire risk, when even a small spark can trigger a rapidly spreading blaze. Investigators are working to determine whether the reported tractor incident was the definitive cause and whether any additional factors contributed to the ignition.
California Wildfires and the Los Angeles Mayoral Race
Pratt, whose campaign started out of anger over how the Palisades Fire was handled, posted on X that people in California need to vote “like your life depends on it, because it does.” he posted footage of the Sandy Fire and noted that the Los Angeles Fire Department has three dozen fewer firefighters than when Palisades hit.
The Palisades Fire, which began on January 7, 2025, in the Santa Monica Mountains, quickly became one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds and dry conditions. It burned for weeks across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and surrounding areas, ultimately scorching more than 23,000 acres, destroying thousands of structures, and killing at least 12 people. The blaze devastated entire neighborhoods, forcing mass evacuations and leaving communities facing a long and difficult rebuilding process, with economic losses in the tens of billions of dollars and recovery efforts still ongoing well into 2026.
The disaster became a central political flashpoint, particularly for Pratt, who launched his bid for Los Angeles mayor on the one-year anniversary of the blaze, framing his campaign around anger over what he describes as government failures in wildfire preparedness and response. He has used the fire as both a personal narrative and a political message—releasing viral campaign videos filmed at his burned property, accusing city leadership of negligence, and rallying supporters under slogans like “They let us burn.”
While his approach has drawn attention and support, critics have accused him of exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
Pratt, once dismissed as a reality television star who had no shot at winning a campaign, is polling second in a nonpartisan primary. The top two candidates in the primary will advance to the general election in November, and polling indicates it will be a head-to-head matchup between Pratt and Bass.