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California Wildfires Burn Over 15,000 Acres With Limited Containment
Multiple fires in Southern California and on Santa Rosa Island have burned more than 15,000 acres as of May 19. Officials report varying levels of containment and have issued evacuation orders and air quality alerts.
May 19, 1:07 PM·1m read1 source
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Wildfire officials are responding to multiple fires across Southern California and on an island off the coast as of Tuesday, May 19. The fires have burned more than 1,300 acres on the mainland and over 14,000 acres on Santa Rosa Island. The Sandy Fire began on May 18 south of Simi Valley in Ventura County.
By Tuesday morning it had reached 1,386 acres with 5 percent containment, and officials reported little overnight growth.
The Santa Rosa Island Fire, reported on May 15, has grown to 14,600 acres with zero percent containment. Two historic structures were destroyed by the fire. The Burro Fire, which started on May 18 in the Angeles National Forest near Azusa, has reached 30 acres with 20 percent containment as of 7:55 a.m. on May 19.
The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District issued an Air Quality Watch on May 18 for Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and Simi Valley. Officials said smoke from the fires contains fine particles that can affect lungs and heart health. Air quality readings on May 19 showed moderate levels in Ventura County at 81 and in Los Angeles at 77 on the Air Quality Index.
Authorities recommend staying indoors, using air filtration, and avoiding outdoor exertion. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect for areas near the Sandy Fire. Officials urge residents to avoid active fire zones, follow road closures, and refrain from flying drones near firefighting operations.
