Firefighters are increasing containment of three wildfires that have burned thousands acres this week and triggered evacuation orders and warnings for tens of thousands of residents in Ventura and Riverside counties.
The fires covered widespread parts of the region with smoke, leading to an air quality alert for parts of of Southern California, but air quality was improving Friday. A smoke advisory for the region expired Thursday night.
Below, updates on the three major fires burning Friday.
Sandy Fire in Simi Valley
Size: 2,141 acres
Containment: 40%
The Sandy Fire started Monday in the Ventura County community of Simi Valley northwest of Los Angeles. At least one house burned in the early hours of the fire as flames entered a neighborhood at the base of a brush-covered hillside.
Evacuation orders and warnings remained in effect, though several evacuation zones have been downgraded or lifted.
All schools in the Simi Valley Unified School District were closed with students expected to return on Tuesday, the superintendent announced Wednesday afternoon. Schools were already scheduled to be closed Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday.
Authorities have not officially determined a cause of the fire, but police said someone using a tractor for brush clearance called to report the machinery struck a rock, possibly producing sparks that started the fire.
Bain Fire in Jurupa Valley
Size: 1,497 acres
Containment: 67%
The Bain Fire started Tuesday north of the Riverside County community of Jurupa Valley. Evacuation warnings and orders remain in effect in parts of Jurupa Valley, Riverside and nearby communities.
Details about a cause of the fire were not immediately available.
Verona Fire in Homeland
Size: 648 acres
Containment: 57%
The Verona Fire started Tuesday in the Riverside County community of Homeland. Evacuation warnings are still in effect for nearby communities.
Details about a cause of the fire were not immediately available.
The Alta Fire in northern Los Angeles County was at 335 acres. Forward progress as stopped hour after the fire started Thursday afternoon east of Gorman.
On Santa Rosa Island, a fire that started one week ago was at 18,300 acres and 59% contained.
Wildfire smoke and air quality
In addition to the three fires that started this week, the Santa Rosa Island Fire in Santa Barbara, which broke out Friday and was mapped at 16,942 acres, was also sending smoke into the air over parts of northern Los Angeles County.
Depending on fire activity, smoke conditions were expected to improve into the weekend.
Here’s some advice from the SCAQMD.
Limit your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed or seeking alternate shelter.
Avoid vigorous physical activity.
Run your air conditioning and/or an air purifier. If possible, do not use swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air.
Avoid burning wood in your fireplace or firepit and minimize sources of indoor air pollution such as candles, incense, pan-frying, and grilling.
If you must be outside, a properly fit N95 or P100 respirator may provide some protection.