Firefighters gain ground on wildfires that charred thousands of acres, forced evacuations across the US
The latest wildfire, the Bain Fire, is burning near Jurupa Valley, California, and has prompted numerous evacuation orders and warnings for residents in one of the most densely populated counties in the country.
Watch: Air tankers drop water on Bain Fire in California's Riverside County
Air tankers drop water on Bain Fire burning in California's Riverside County.
Firefighters are trying to make headway against wildfires that erupted across some of Southern California’s most populated areas that forced thousands to flee, as the state's fire season begins to intensify.
Meanwhile, wildfires have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres across the Plains after days of severe storms sparked flames across several drought-stricken states.
DAYS OF INTENSE, HEAVY RAIN FUEL BREWING FLOOD THREAT ACROSS TEXAS THROUGH MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Sandy Fire forces evacuation of thousands of homes outside Los Angeles
Containment of the Sandy Fire burning in Southern California's Simi Valley, just outside of Los Angeles, increased to 30% on Thursday. Winds off the Pacific Ocean helped fuel growth Tuesday and the fire expanded to more than 2,100 acres by Thursday.
Mandatory evacuations were issued, and some evacuations have since been downgraded after more than 10,000 homes were initially evacuated when the fire erupted around 10 a.m. local time Monday, according to the governor's office.
![Simi Valley , CA - May 19, 2026: Helicopters battle flams from from the Sandy Fire in Runkle Canyon on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 in Simi Valley , CA.]()
Image 1 of 7Simi Valley , CA - May 19, 2026: Helicopters battle flams from from the Sandy Fire in Runkle Canyon on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 in Simi Valley , CA. ((Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images))
![A Los Angeles County helicopter drops water to combat a hotspot as the Sandy fire continues to burn in the hills near a residential area in Simi Valley, California, on May 20, 2026.]()
Image 2 of 7A Los Angeles County helicopter drops water to combat a hotspot as the Sandy fire continues to burn in the hills near a residential area in Simi Valley, California, on May 20, 2026. ((Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP via Getty Images))
![Sandy Fire burns in Simi Valley, California, Tuesday, May 19, 2026.]()
Image 3 of 7Sandy Fire burns in Simi Valley, California, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (CAL FIRE)
![The Sandy Fire rages on a hill behind houses at a residential area in Simi Valley, California, on May 18, 2026.]()
Image 4 of 7The Sandy Fire rages on a hill behind houses in a residential area in Simi Valley, California, on May 18, 2026. ((Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP via Getty Images))
![Simi Valley, CA - May 18: Water drops continue as the Sandy Fire burns nearby hillsides Rocking Horse Dr. in Simi Valley, CA on Monday, May 18, 2026.]()
Image 5 of 7Simi Valley, CA — May 18: Water drops continue as the Sandy Fire burns nearby hillsides of Rocking Horse Dr. in Simi Valley, CA on Monday, May 18, 2026. ((Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images))
![Simi Valley, CA - May 18: Barton Richter hoses down his backyard on Rocking Horse Dr. as the Sandy Fire burns nearby in Simi Valley, CA on Monday, May 18, 2026.]()
Image 6 of 7Simi Valley, CA - May 18: Barton Richter hoses down his backyard on Rocking Horse Dr. as the Sandy Fire burns nearby in Simi Valley, CA on Monday, May 18, 2026. ((Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images))
![SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Cal Fire firefighters battle the Sandy Fire on May 18, 2026 in Simi Valley, California.]()
Image 7 of 7SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Cal Fire firefighters battle the Sandy Fire on May 18, 2026 in Simi Valley, California. ((Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images))
Additional evacuation warnings are in place across parts of Ventura County. Local elementary schools were evacuated as the flames quickly spread Monday, when strong winds and low humidity helped fuel the wildfire's rapid growth.
Watch: Firefighters take to the sky to save homes from Sandy Fire in Southern California
The Sandy Fire in Southern California's Simi Valley, just outside of Los Angeles, increased to over 1,600 acres, prompting additional evacuations in eastern parts of the valley, as wind off the Pacific Ocean helped fuel growth Tuesday.
County officials have deployed air quality monitoring stations around the fire's perimeter.
Numerous fires burning in Riverside County trigger evacuations
Meanwhile, two wildfires ignited in California's Riverside County on Tuesday — one of the most densely populated counties in the country.
The Bain Fire sparked around 11:30 a.m. near Jurupa Valley and prompted numerous evacuation orders and warnings for residents. FOX 11 Los Angeles reported four civilians were reported injured by fire officials.
Crews battle multiple wildfire across Southern California
Several rapidly spreading wildfires have erupted across Southern California, prompting mandatory evacuation orders and warnings for thousands of residents. The wildfires have already scorched hundreds of thousands of acres across the state.
The Bain Fire has scorched about 1,500 acres and is 39% contained, according to CAL Fire. Officials said four people and one firefighter have sustained injuries.
Mandatory evacuations and evacuation warnings have been issued in the area.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Inland Empire, the Verona Fire also ignited Tuesday, scorching nearly 650 acres in Juniper Springs and prompting evacuation orders and warnings for nearby communities.
#VeronaFIRE [UPDATE @ 3:47 p.m.]: The forward rate of spread has been stopped. Firefighters continue to establish and strengthen containment lines. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. pic.twitter.com/xCKfjkaYgd
— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) May 19, 2026
The fire is 38% contained.
Stranded sailor rescued amid large wildfire scorching California Channel Island
Across the Santa Barbara Channel, a fire has now consumed more than 17,500 acres on Santa Rosa Island, part of the Channel Islands National Park off the California coast.
Containment increased to 44% on Wednesday after additional personnel and firefighting aircraft arrived Tuesday. The blaze had been burning uncontained since it was first spotted by aircraft last Friday.
SAILOR RESCUED IN THE KNICK OF TIME AS MASSIVE, RECORD-BREAKING WILDFIRE ENGULFS CALIFORNIA ISLAND
The Coast Guard said they airlifted a 67-year-old sailor who was stranded Friday, after his sailboat crashed against the rocks.
The sailor was found near large "SOS" letters carved out into scorched ground.
(Coast Guard Air Station Ventura / FOX Weather)
Images released by officials showed the mariner near large "SOS" letters carved into the scorched ground to attract attention from rescuers overhead.
The Santa Barbara Fire Department said the fire also forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees.
According to the National Parks Service, the fire is human-caused, but the exact circumstances are still under investigation.
Two unoccupied historic buildings have been destroyed, but crews have been able to set up fire defense for several other historic sites on the island.
Fire officials said they expect weaker winds to help fire suppression efforts into the weekend.
Wildfire outbreak sparked by dry lightning reaches more than 100K acres
Severe storms last Thursday sparked several wildfires across southwestern Kansas that have now burned more than 128,000 acres, according to the state's forest service.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly declared a local state of emergency last week and activated four National Guard helicopter units in response.
OVER 80 MILLION TO FACE 90-DEGREE HEAT AS POTENTIALLY RECORD-BREAKING MAY HEAT WAVE IMPACTS THE EAST
Wildfires erupt in Southwest Kansas on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
(Kansas Forest Service DFMO M. Reed and B. Ilonummi / FOX Weather)
Officials said lightning strikes ignited dry vegetation, while winds simultaneously fueled several fires. The Meade Lake Complex has burned more than 92,000 acres and the Herman Range Complex is more than 33,000 acres.
As of Wednesday, the Meade Lake Complex fire was 95% contained and the Herman Range Complex fire was 80% contained, according to the state forest service.
SEE IT: FIERY TORNADO-LIKE 'TEPHRA DEVIL' SWIRLS ON HAWAII'S KILAUEA VOLCANO
More than 200 firefighters have been assigned to help tackle both major blazes.
Wildfires erupt in Southwest Kansas on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
(Kansas Forest Service DFMO M. Reed and B. Ilonummi / FOX Weather)
Southwest Kansas is currently in extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Stinky Fire destroys buildings, triggers evacuations outside Amarillo, Texas
A wildfire erupted just northeast of Bushland, Texas, Sunday afternoon, prompting mandatory evacuations around the Bishop Estates area, according to the Amarillo Office of Emergency Management.
EVACUATIONS UNDERWAY AS LIGHTNING SPARKS MASSIVE GRASSFIRE AND BURNS THOUSANDS OF ACRES IN TEXAS
Smoke from the Stinky Fire impacts the Amarillo, Texas, area on May 18, 2026.
(Texas A&M Forest Service / FOX Weather)
The Stinky Fire has burned more than 2,300 acres and is 100% contained as of Tuesday. Officials from Potter County Fire-Rescue said several buildings have been destroyed.
"I want to express our sincere condolences to those in the area of Dowell Road/Eagle Tree and the Bishops Estates/Hills area, for several have damage, several have lost everything," Potter County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook.
Air tankers are being used to help attack the fire. The Texas panhandle is also experiencing extreme drought.
Lightning-caused fire burns across Colorado-Oklahoma border
An inter-agency team has taken command of the Sharpe Fire, which is burning across the Colorado-Oklahoma border.
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ISSUED IN COLORADO AMID RAPIDLY SPREADING WILDFIRE
The fire has burned more than 29,000 acres across Baca County, Colorado, and Cimarron County, Oklahoma, according to officials, and is 100% contained as of Thursday.
Watch: Air tanker drops water on Sharpe Fire outside Campo, Colorado
Air tanker drops water on Sharpe Fire outside Campo, Colorado.
Baca County Emergency Management said that it crossed over U.S. Highway 287 and some people in and around the town of Campo, Colorado, were evacuated Sunday.
The U.S. Forest Service said the wildfires were initially sparked by lightning. Officials said the fire ignited in Oklahoma before crossing the border north over the weekend.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt activated additional resources to help quell the flames and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency on Sunday.
Much of this region is experiencing drought after a notable lack of snow this winter.