Gusty winds and hot, dry weather are fueling the explosive growth of California wildfires this week, causing thousands to flee their homes and residents to mask up due to poor air quality. Evacuations remain in place for fires burning in Ventura and Riverside counties.

Wildfires are forcing evacuations across California, displacing thousands as conditions rapidly change and smoke spreads statewide.

California had a record dry and hot March, which dried out vegetation in many places. As warmer months approach, the risk is growing quickly.

The Southern California hub — one of 15 in the world — learned a lot from the January 2025 wildfires, Amazon executives say.

A smoke advisory for a broad swath of Southern California was extended into Thursday night due to brush fires in Los Angeles and Riverside counties. The Sandy Fire in Simi Valley and the Bain and Verona fires in Riverside County have resulted in diminished air quality this week for several counties.

Wildfire officials are spread across Southern California on Tuesday, May 19, as they battle multiple fires that have burned more than 1,300 acres on the state's mainland, as well as a fire on an island miles offshore.

The Sandy fire, one of several wildfires burning in Southern California this week, was 15% contained Wednesday morning.