Wildfire officials are spread across Southern California on Tuesday, May 19, as they battle multiple fires that have burned more than 1,300 acres on the state’s mainland, as well as a fire on an island miles offshore.
The Sandy Fire caught ablaze on May 18 and is located south of Simi Valley in Ventura County, which borders Los Angeles County. The fire was “spreading dangerously fast” as of a Cal Fire incident update just before 11:30 a.m. May 18. By Tuesday, Cal Fire put it at 1,386 acres.
Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued in the area.
Fire fighters monitor the Sandy Fire as it burns in the hills close to a residential area in Simi Valley, Calif., on May 18, 2026. About 24,000 people in Simi Valley, 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, are under mandatory evacuation orders as the Sandy Fire is “spreading dangerously fast” according to fire officials.
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. The blaze is located near Burro Canyon Shooting Park, according to Cal Fire’s coordinates, which is in the foothill city of Azusa.
California firefighters are also battling another major blaze on an island off Santa Barbara’s coast. The Santa Rosa Island Fire, which was reported on May 15, has surpassed 14,000 acres and destroyed two historic structures, according to authorities.
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.
Fast moving Sandy Fire threatens Simi Valley neighborhoods
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3 major fires still burning, one faces 0% containment
TUESDAY UPDATE: The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports as of 9 a.m. that the Santa Rosa Island Fire is at 0% containment. It has grown to 14,600 acres, officials noted late May 18. Fire officials did not see any changes by early May 19 but are expecting the island to be hit with high winds, which will create “active fire behavior.”
As of 10 a.m., fire officials have contained 5% of the Sandy Fire.
Cal Fire officials noted that they have observed little growth with the Sandy Fire, which has burned 1,386 acres and destroyed one house.
“Overnight, firefighters made significant progress with very little fire growth observed. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect as crews continue working around the clock to provide structure protection and strengthen containment lines around the fire perimeter,” according to a Cal Fire incident update on May 19.
Cal Fire officials noted that the weather conditions were similar to yesterday’s high winds, but officials have “crew strike teams” stationed on the northern end of the fire in preparation for today’s fire operations, according to a Cal Fire incident update on May 19.
The latest update regarding the Burro Fire is that 20% of the 30-acre fire has been contained as of 7:55 a.m. on May 19. An evacuation warning is in place for zone LAC-E169, Cal Fire said.
Air Quality Watch issued
On May 18, the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District issued an Air Quality Watch due to the potential for unhealthy air quality conditions from the Sandy Fire.
A Ventura County Fire Department helicopter drops water to combat the Sandy Fire in Simi Valley, Calif. on May 18, 2026. About 24,000 people in Simi Valley, 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, are under mandatory evacuation orders as the Sandy Fire is “spreading dangerously fast” according to fire officials.
“Smoke and ash from wildfires contain very small particles — particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less — that can harm the lungs and heart,” according to the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District.
The watch was issued for Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and Simi Valley; however, cities in neighboring Los Angeles County are experiencing similar levels of unhealthy air quality.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index (AQI) notes that normal or “good” air quality ranges from 0 to 50, indicating little to no risk of air pollution. Air quality between 51 to 100 is considered “acceptable” or moderate, which may affect people extremely sensitive to air pollution.
Any score above 101 is considered unhealthy air and not ideal for people to breathe in.
People watch as a firefighter helicopter battles a wildfire known as the Sandy Fire, in Simi Valley, Calif., May 18, 2026.
As of May 19, Ventura County is forecasting moderate air quality at 81 on the AQI, according to IQAir.
The air quality in Los Angeles is forecast to be about 77 on the AQI, according to IQAir.
The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District recommends that people:
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. If people work outside, it’s recommended that they wear a properly fitted N-95 mask.
Operate home and car air conditioners in recycle or recirculation mode. Close the fresh air intake.
Stay indoors as much as possible, preferably in a clean room with an indoor air filtration device, and avoid cooking or burning candles.
Close all windows and doors that lead outside.
Follow live coverage of: Sandy Fire in Simi Valley – It burns nearly 1,400 acres, destroys home
Safety reminders for California residents
Authorities are urging Californians to take precautions as fires continue:
Avoid active fire areas unless absolutely necessary.
Do not fly drones near wildfires, as they can interfere with firefighting aircraft.
Use caution on roadways where smoke may reduce visibility.
Follow all evacuation orders and road closures.
USA TODAY Network reporters Paris Barraza, Ani Gasparyan and Daniella Segura contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California fire updates: Latest on Sandy Fire containment, others