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Firefighters make progress on several Southern California fires as weather shifts. Here's a roundup
A Ventura County Fire Department helicopter drops water on a hillside fire as firefighters battle the flames from a backyard in Simi Valley on Tuesday.
(
Blake Fagen
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AFP via Getty Images
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Several fires are burning across Southern California, with some destroying structures, threatening homes and charring pristine landscapes.
Air quality across much of the region was affected this week. You should take precautions whenever you can smell or see smoke or ash.
But weather conditions have improved. Here's a recent National Weather Service forecast for upcoming days:
"Cooler weather is expected through the weekend with most areas experiencing temperatures within a few degrees of normal by Saturday. Low clouds and fog develop near the coast and push into the valleys overnight for the next several nights. Additional cooling is expected next week, with most areas between four and eight degrees below normal."
Here's a roundup of some of the fires burning now.
Sandy Fire (Ventura County)
- CalFire incident page
- Ventura County emergency website (includes evacuation information)
- Acreage: 2,140 as of about 1 p.m. Friday, May 22
- Containment: 40% as of 1 p.m. Friday
- Cause: Under investigation
Firefighters reported Friday morning that they had made progress on the Sandy Fire and had kept it away from the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. That area is the site of radioactive waste and toxic chemicals from decades of rocket and nuclear research. Air quality monitors have been placed around the facility, the county and CalFire reported.
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Sandy Fire Air Monitoring Update - Due to the Sandy Fire’s proximity to the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL), hazardous materials and radiological monitoring teams continue proactive air quality and radiation monitoring operations around the fire area.
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) May 22, 2026
Currently, seven air… pic.twitter.com/6OYikcp6Bk
Swaths of Simi Valley and nearby communities remain under evacuation orders and warnings — though some orders have been downgraded to warnings, and some warnings have been lifted.
Simi Valley Unified schools remain closed through Memorial Day, the county said.
More than 1,100 firefighters were working on the Sandy Fire, according to CalFire.
The fire started Monday in the southern part of Simi Valley. It eventually spread east toward L.A. County communities in the San Fernando Valley, but overnight conditions Monday were favorable to firefighters, CalFire said. Winds dispersed heavy smoke around Southern California earlier in the week, prompting air quality warnings, which have since been lifted.
Santa Rosa Island Fire (Santa Barbara County)
- CalFire incident page
- Channel Islands National Park on social media
- Acreage: About 18,000 as of 6:20 p.m. Thursday, May 21
- Containment: 59% as of 6:20 p.m. Wednesday
- Cause: Human. KTLA and other outlets have reported a man whose boat shipwrecked fired a rescue flare that sparked the fire.
The fire had burned nearly 17,000 acres on the island by Wednesday.
(
inciweb.wildfire.gov
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Remote Incident Support Team / National Park Service
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The fire is burning in Channel Island National Park territory.
A U.S. government website reported Thursday morning that firefighters were able to make progress overnight, aided by higher humidity than previous days. The fire burned through the Water Canyon Campground, the site said, but the campground remained in good condition. Firefighters and equipment continue to arrive by boat to battle the flames.
The fire has destroyed two historic, uninhabited structures on the island, as well as a campground wind break.
The island is home to rare and endangered plants and animals. An online announcement said that sensitive Torrey pine trees were largely unscathed by fire that ran through a stand on the island.
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The move could jeopardize tens of millions in federal dollars that flow from HUD to LAHSA each year. -
The vacancies, uncovered by an LAist investigation, are part of an initiative L.A. Mayor Karen Bass introduced years ago. -
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Bain Fire (Riverside County)
- CalFire incident page (includes evacuation information)
- Social media updates
- Acreage: About 1,500
- Containment: 67% as of 1 p.m. Friday
- Cause: Under investigation
The fire was first reported around noon Tuesday, according to CalFire, near Jurupa Valley (east of the 15 Freeway and south of the 60). CBS News Los Angeles reported that four people have been injured.
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Verona Fire (Riverside County)
- CalFire incident page (includes evacuation information)
- Social media updates
- Acreage: About 650 as of noon Friday
- Containment: 57% as of noon Friday
- Cause: Under investigation
The fire began Tuesday north of Diamond Valley Lake. Evacuation orders were reduced to warnings Wednesday night.
Burro Fire (Angeles National Forest)
- CalFire incident page
- Social media updates
- Acreage: 30
- Containment: 95% as of about 5 p.m. Thursday
- Cause: Under investigation
The fire started Monday in a mountainous area north of the San Gabriel Reservoir.
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Fire resources and tips
Check out LAist's wildfire recovery guide.
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Prepare for the next disaster:
- Fire season is here. Make sure you're signed up for these alerts
- Every day is now fire season. Let's get you ready for the next wildfire
- Yes, wildfires are getting worse. The history that got us to this moment
If you have to evacuate:
- Why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
- How to get packed up
- How to leave your house
- What evacuation terms mean and how to sign up for alerts
Navigating fire conditions:
- How to drive in high winds and fire danger
- How to prep for power outages
- How to navigate poor air quality
How to help yourself and others:
- Resources for fire victims, evacuees and first responders
- If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer
- How to help find lost pets
How to start the recovery process:
- What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
- How to make an insurance claim
- How to safely clean up wildfire ash
What to do for your kids:
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
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