By Matthew Ballinger for LAist
Originally published on May 19, 2026 and updated on May 20, 2026
Several fires are burning across Southern California, with some destroying structures, threatening homes and charring pristine landscapes.
Air quality across much of the region has been affected as well, with air quality alerts in effect for the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena and other parts of L.A. County, as well as parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. You should take precautions whenever you can smell or see smoke or ash.
Warm weather and Santa Ana wind conditions have hampered firefighting efforts and are expected to continue today. The National Weather Service forecasts that temperatures will begin to fall by Thursday, with “May gray” conditions sticking around through the weekend.
Here’s a roundup of some of the fires burning now.
Santa Rosa Island Fire (Santa Barbara County)
- CalFire incident page
- Channel Islands National Park on social media
- Acreage: About 17,000 as of 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 19
- Containment: 26% as of 5 p.m.
- Cause: Human. KTLA and other outlets have reported a man whose boat shipwrecked fired a rescue flare that sparked the fire.
The fire is burning in Channel Island National Park territory. Firefighters traveled by boat with their equipment to get to the island, according to news reports. The island is home to rare and endangered plants and animals.
Sandy Fire (Ventura County)
- CalFire incident page
- Ventura County emergency website (includes evacuation information)
- Acreage: About 1,700
- Containment: 15% as of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 20
- Cause: Under investigation
More than 900 firefighters were working on the Sandy Fire on Wednesday, according to a Ventura County Fire Department briefing Wednesday morning. Crews are prioritizing protecting homes and fortifying defensive lines to prevent further spread, the department said. Heavy smoke is expected Wednesday as the fire burns new fuel within its current perimeter.
Tuesday was marked by firefights in canyons and steep terrain, CalFire reported. The fire also produced large amounts of smoke, creating poor air quality.
The fire started Monday in the southern part of Simi Valley. It eventually spread eastward toward L.A. County communities in the San Fernando Valley, but overnight conditions Monday were favorable to firefighters, CalFire said. Several communities were under evacuation orders and warnings, and schools in the area were closed.
Bain Fire (Riverside County)
- CalFire incident page (includes evacuation information)
- Social media updates
- Acreage: About 1,375
- Containment: 25% as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 20
- Cause: Under investigation
Firefighters increased the containment percentage of the Bain Fire overnight Tuesday, according to CalFire. “Resources remain sufficient with expectations for higher temperatures and winds this afternoon,” the agency said on social media. Several evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings; some warnings were lifted.
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.
Verona Fire (Riverside County)
- CalFire incident page (includes evacuation information)
- Social media updates
- Acreage: About 500 as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 20
- Containment: 5%
- Cause: Under investigation
Parts of Juniper Springs and nearby areas in Riverside County are under evacuation warnings and orders.
Burro Fire (Angeles National Forest)
- CalFire incident page
- Social media updates
- Acreage: 30
- Containment: 70% as of about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19
- Cause: Under investigation
The fire started Monday in a mountainous area north of the San Gabriel Reservoir.
Fire resources and tips
Check out LAist’s wildfire recovery guide.
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:
