A wave of wildfires over the past few days has stretched fire crews across several counties as the flames destroy structures and drive thousands of residents to evacuate.
In Simi Valley, tens of thousands remain evacuated as firefighters work to make progress on the Sandy Fire, which erupted late Monday morning and destroyed at least one home. The fire had grown to nearly 1,700 acres and was 15% contained as of 5:35 a.m. Wednesday.
Evacuation Zones and an interactive map can be found on Cal Fire’s Sandy Fire incident page.
A water tanker drops water while firefighters walk below, as the Sandy Fire approaches, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Simi Valley. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
A pair of Riverside County fires ignited Tuesday, burning nearly 2,000 acres. The Bain Fire has scorched 1,375 acres as of 5:58 a.m. Wednesday. The fire is 25% contained, but many evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. The Verona Fire, southeast of the Bain Fire, has burned 439 acres as of 1 a.m. Wednesday with no containment. Cal Fire’s Verona Fire page lists ongoing evacuation orders and warnings.
California’s largest active wildfire is continuing to burn on Santa Rosa Island off the coast of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Authorities said it was likely caused by a sailor who shipwrecked on the island last Friday and fired flares to signal for help.
The man was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard, but the Santa Rosa Fire had charred nearly 17,000 acres and was 26% contained as of Tuesday evening.
Official updates: Sandy Fire | Bain Fire | Verona Fire | Santa Rosa Fire
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