As the Sandy Fire in Ventura County remains about 5% contained and residents face evacuation orders, a separate blaze on Santa Rosa Island has grown past 16,900 acres and destroyed two historic structures. Across Southern California, authorities are battling t
For the third day. smoke hung over parts of Southern California as families weighed whether to pack and leave—while crews fought fires that kept changing shape on the ground and from the air. On the mainland, the Sandy Fire held at roughly 5% containment in Ventura County. Offshore, the Santa Rosa Island Fire climbed past 16,900 acres and already wiped out two historic structures.
The pressure didn’t let up. By May 20. officials were coordinating across multiple blazes. including fires on the state’s mainland and a fire miles offshore that has triggered separate tracking and containment efforts. Authorities urged residents to avoid fire areas, follow evacuation orders, and not fly drones near the blazes.
The Sandy Fire, Cal Fire said, began on May 18 and is south of Simi Valley in Ventura County, which borders Los Angeles County. The fire has reached 1,698 acres and is at about 5% contained, according to Cal Fire. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued in the area.
Cal Fire reported about 2:40 p.m. on May 19 that Sandy’s fire activity had “decreased significantly due to lighter wind conditions.” Firefighters. the agency said. were able to use improved weather to strengthen containment lines and continue aggressive suppression efforts. Cal Fire added that a forecasted wind shift remains a concern. and that firefighters will continue to monitor conditions closely and remain strategically positioned to respond to any changes in fire behavior.
California cameras captured timelapse footage of the Sandy Fire through UC San Diego’s ALERT.
Beyond the firefighting itself, funding for the response moved quickly. Late Monday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Sandy Fire response. The funding is provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency on a cost-share basis. Local, state and tribal agencies can apply for 75% reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs.
Another major battle is unfolding on Santa Rosa Island, off the coast of Santa Barbara. Authorities said the Santa Rosa Island Fire, which initially started on May 15, has surpassed 16,900 acres and destroyed two historic structures. The wildfire is at 26% containment.
On land, the Burro Fire started on May 18 in the Angeles National Forest, which spans hundreds of thousands of acres and is north of Los Angeles. Cal Fire said the blaze has reached 30 acres and is located near Burro Canyon Shooting Park in the foothill city of Azusa. The wildfire is 70% contained.
The Bain Fire began Tuesday in Jurupa Valley, about 10 miles away from Riverside, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. Late Tuesday, Cal Fire reported it had burned about 1,375 acres. Drone activity has hampered firefighting efforts, Cal Fire said; the fire remains at the same size and is 10% contained. Cal Fire ordered an evacuation for several neighborhoods in the region.
In a separate area, the Verona Fire was reported at 12:20 p.m. near Homeland, about 30 miles away from Riverside, according to Cal Fire. The wildfire is at 439 acres and 0% containment, according to Cal Fire. Cal Fire has ordered an evacuation for several neighborhoods in the region.
Further south, the Tusil Fire started at about 1 p.m. Tuesday in the eastern portion of San Diego County, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s Office. It has quickly grown to 1,000 acres and remains only 10% contained. The California Highway Patrol closed a portion of Interstate 8 westbound at State Route 94 and Interstate 8 eastbound at Kitchen Creek due to the fire. Cal Fire has ordered an evacuation for several neighborhoods in the region.
What stands out in the numbers is how uneven the situation is across the region: Sandy is at about 5% containment while the Santa Rosa Island Fire is at 26% containment. and other major blazes range from 70% contained in the Burro Fire to 0% containment in the Verona Fire. Even as lighter wind conditions helped Sandy crews build containment lines, a forecasted wind shift remains a concern.
Authorities are continuing to stress that the next hours may depend on how quickly conditions change. Residents are being told to avoid active fire areas unless absolutely necessary. not fly drones near wildfires. use caution on roadways where smoke may reduce visibility. and follow all evacuation orders and road closures.
With weather and fire behavior still in flux, officials are urging people across the state to stay informed and get weather alerts via text.
Sandy Fire Santa Rosa Island Fire Cal Fire Ventura County evacuation orders containment Bain Fire Verona Fire Tusil Fire Burro Fire drone ban FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant