Tuesday, May 19, 2026
California Fire Forces Evacuations Amid Shavuot Preparations
A brush fire that broke out Monday morning in Simi Valley, Calif., forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes as it tore through nearly 1,400 acres, darkening the skies and filling neighborhoods with smoke. By Tuesday, with winds beginning to settle, authorities reported that the fires hadn’t grown overnight and were beginning to be contained, and many residents were able to return home.
The Sandy Fire ignited around 10:45 a.m., destroyed one structure and kept firefighting aircraft busy throughout the day. For many in the area, the disruption stirred frightening memories of the Palisades fire and other blazes that have devastated Southern California in recent years.
Rabbi Nosson Gurary, who has directed Chabad-Lubavitch of Simi Valleyalongside his wife, Bassie, since 1998, said the community’s response this time was noticeably calmer.
The Sandy Fire ignited around 10:45 a.m., destroyed one structure and kept firefighting aircraft busy throughout the day. For many in the area, the disruption stirred frightening memories of the Palisades fire and other blazes that have devastated Southern California in recent years.
Rabbi Nosson Gurary, who has directed Chabad-Lubavitch of Simi Valleyalongside his wife, Bassie, since 1998, said the community’s response this time was noticeably calmer.
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