Multiple Wildfires Burn Nearly 22,000 Acres in Southern California

Multiple large wildfires continued to burn across Southern California on Wednesday, fueled by gusting winds, warm temperatures and dry vegetation, authorities said. -Mexico border, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The Sandy Fire ignited Monday in the foothills above Simi Valley and prompted the most evacuations. At one point on Tuesday evening, more than 43,700 people were under mandatory evacuation orders or warnings, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

The fire had grown to 1,698 acres by Wednesday morning and was 15 percent contained. Firefighters attacked the blaze from the ground and air as flames raced downhill toward populated neighborhoods. Only one structure had been destroyed as of Wednesday morning.

Andrew Dowd, a Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson, said winds were expected to pick up Wednesday afternoon. "We're anticipating right now seeing northeasterly winds in the morning and then early afternoon, from what I have got so far, shifting to the west," Dowd said.

The Bain Fire ignited Tuesday in Riverside County and grew to 1,456 acres by Wednesday afternoon, reaching 25 percent containment. Three people suffered smoke inhalation and a fourth was taken to a hospital with traumatic injuries, according to Los Angeles ABC station KABC. Residents told KABC that three to four homes had been destroyed.

The Santa Rosa Island Fire, the largest of the five, burned nearly 17,000 acres in the Channel Islands off Santa Barbara County and was 26 percent contained. S. Coast Guard said the fire was likely ignited by emergency flares fired by a 67-year-old shipwrecked mariner.

The Tusil Fire in San Diego County grew to 1,000 acres and forced evacuations on the Campo Reservation. At least one structure was damaged and the Interstate 8 freeway was shut down in both directions before one lane each way reopened Wednesday morning.