California fires update: Where each blaze stands as thousands evacuated

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Amanda Greenwood

By Amanda Greenwood

Associate News Editor

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Californians remain on alert as wildfire crews begin to gain the upper hand on several blazes, with containment slowly increasing and no new evacuation orders issued. A newly sparked fire was quickly contained, while some evacuation zones elsewhere have now been downgraded to warnings, offering cautious relief to affected communities.

Shelters are seeing reduced pressure as conditions stabilize, though officials stress the situation remains unpredictable. Firefighters continue to work in challenging terrain to secure containment lines and prevent flare-ups.

For residents, vigilance is still essential. While the immediate threat has eased in some areas, shifting winds and lingering hot spots mean conditions can change quickly. Even outside active zones, smoke continues to affect air quality and visibility, posing ongoing health and travel risks.

Where Are the Fires?

According to the map below and information provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire), which is the agency responsible for wildfire management across California, 11 wildfires have been reported, as of May 21, 2026, with one new blaze, which is now 100 percent contained.

What To Do if Evacuated

Map showing areas in California affected by current wildfires, as of May 21, 2026.

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If you are under an evacuation order, go immediately—delaying is one of the biggest risks in wind-driven fires.

Where To Go

Use county-designated shelters when available; the Sandy Fire page for Ventura County lists an overnight shelter location, and in Riverside County, the Bain Fire page lists shelter sites.

If you can’t get to a shelter, head to a location outside the evacuation zone and away from smoke.

What To Bring—the Essentials

IDs, cash or bank cards, phone chargers, and keys.
Any medications and prescriptions.
N95/KN95 masks (for smoke inhalation protection), a basic first aid kit.
Pet supplies, including a leash, food, and any medication.

Before You Leave, if Time Allows

Follow official road-closure information at all times.

Close all windows and doors, and turn off the gas.

List of Areas Being Evacuated

At the time of publishing, Evacuation Orders warning of an “immediate threat to life” remain in place for the following fires in the following counties:

Sandy Fire in Ventura County.
Bain and Verona Fires in Riverside County.
Tusil Fire in San Diego County.
Foothill Fire in Santa Barbara County.

CAL Fire states that the Evacuation Orders are a “lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access.”

Where Each Wild Fire Currently Stands

At the time of publishing, according to CAL Fire, this is where each of the 13 recorded fires stands.

Santa Rosa Island Fire in Santa Barbara County

Map showing areas affected by the Santa Rosa Island Fire in Santa Barbara, as of 21 May, 2026 | Cal Fire

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Exact location: The south side of Santa Rosa Island, between Ford Point and South Point.
Acres burned: 17,554.
Date started: Friday, May 15.
Most recent update: The last update from CAL Fire reports that the fire is now 44 percent contained, on Wednesday May 20, it was only at 26 percent. The island is generally considered to be uninhabited, with no permanent residents.

River Fire in Kern County

Map showing areas affected by the River Fire in Kern.

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Exact location: State Route 178, east of Bakersfield.
Acres burned: 3,535.
Cause: CAL Fire said that the cause remains under investigation.
Most recent update: The latest update, on May 20, states that the fire is now 90 percent contained, this is 75 percent more than the previous day, which shows positive progress, despite “wind-driven” active fire behavior and “difficult access due to the remote location.”

Sandy Fire in Ventura County

Map showing areas affected by the Sandy Fire in Ventura County.

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Exact location: Off Sandy Avenue in the city of Simi Valley.
Acres burned: 2,115.
Date started: Monday, May 18.
Evacuations: Evacuation orders and warnings are still in place across multiple zones in the area, and, although no official evacuee count has been provided by the agency, local news outlet KTLA has reported that, at the time of publishing, nearly 44,000 residents have been evacuated from the Simi Valley area.
Multiple animal evacuation centers have been set up, for both small, domestic animals and large animals in Simi Valley, Camarillo, and Ventura. An emergency evacuation center has also been set up at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park.
Road closures: According to the latest update, the following roads remain closed:
- Bell Canyon Road, in both directions from Overland Drive
- Katherine Road at the railroad tracks
- Clear Springs Road from the Santa Susana Pass to Katherine Road
- Santa Susana Pass Road at the railroad tracks
- Santa Susana Pass Road at Box Canyon Road
- Oak Knolls Road at Southern Oaks Avenue
- Crinklaw Lane
Most recent update: CAL Fire has established that the fire is now 22 percent contained, compared with 5 percent containment the previous day. It said "despite continued warm temperatures and gusty winds, overall fire activity remains minimal at this time."
One structure has been “destroyed,” and the agency has deployed air quality equipment around the fires perimeter due to how close the blaze is to the Santa Susana Field Laboratory to help "assess conditions" incase the fire moves closer to the lab, although, at the time of publishing, CAL Fire confirmed it had not entered the area.

Bain Fire in Riverside County

Map showing areas affected by the Bain Fire in Riverside County.

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Exact location: Limonite Avenue and Bain Street, on the edge of the city of Jurupa Valley.
Acres burned: 1,456.
Evacuations: Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place across multiple zones, and although the number of evacuees hasn’t been confirmed by CAL Fire, CBS News reports that more than 24,000 people have been evacuated. There is an evacuation center at the 'Skyview Event Center' in Jurupa Valley.
Some evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings, which means there is just a “potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock, should leave now.”
Most recent update: Although the fire is now 34 percent contained, up from 10 percent the previous day. CAL Fire reported that "resources will continue working throughout the night, maintaining control lines and establishing containment around the fire perimeter."

Foothill Fire in Santa Barbara County

Map showing areas affected by the Foothill Fire in Santa Barbara County.

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Exact location: Foothill Road and Kirschenmann Road in Cuyama.
Acres burned: 904.
Date started: Tuesday, May 19.
Evacuations: Orders and warnings have been issued for specific zones.
Most recent update: CAL Fire reported that the fire is now 40 percent contained, as around 200 firefighters were deployed on Wednesday to strengthen containment lines. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place, and the agency is asking the public to continue to avoid the area.

Tusil Fire in San Diego County

Map showing areas affected by the Tusial Fire in San Diego County.

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Exact location: Tusil Road, north of Live Oak Springs in the Campo Reservation.
Acres burned: 820.
Evacuations: Evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings, and all road closures have been lifted.
Most recent update: The fire is now 55 percent contained, a 45 percent increase from the previous day as "favorable weather conditions and moderated fire behavior supported suppression efforts."

Verona Fire in Riverside County

Map showing areas affected by the Verona Fire in Riverside County.

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Exact location: Near Verona Road and Juniper Springs Road, in the Green Acres and Homeland area.
Acres burned: 600.
Date started: Tuesday, May 19.
Evacuations: Evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings.
Most recent update: The fire is now 30 percent contained.

Santa Fire in Merced County

Map showing areas affected by the Santa Fire in Merced County.

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Exact location: Southeast of Highway 152, near Dinosaur Point Road, in the San Luis Reservoir region.
Acres burned: 160.
Date started: Tuesday, May 19.
Most recent update: CAL Fire reports that the fire is now 90 percent contained, compared to just 10 percent the previous day.

Whitlock Fire in Imperial County

Map showing the areas affected by the Whitlock Fire in Imperial County.

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Exact location: Whitlock Road and Graeser Road, near Holtville.
Acres burned: 100.
Date started: Tuesday, May 19.
Most recent update: According to CAL Fire, the fire is now 40 percent contained.

Burro Fire in Los Angeles County

Map showing areas affected by the Burro Fire in Los Angeles County.

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Exact location: Near Burro Peak
Acres burned: 30.
Date started: Monday, May 18.
Most recent update: Containment is now at 95 percent, the previous day it was at 70 percent.

Golden Fire in San Luis Obispo County (New Blaze)

Map showing areas affected by the Golden Fire in San Luis Obispo County.

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Exact location: Golden Hill Road and Kaparell Lane, Paso Robles
Acres burned: 23.
Date started: Wednesday May 20.
Most recent update: CAL Fire confirmed that the blaze started on Wednesday afternoon. The fire department arrived swiftly and the fire is now 100 percent contained.

What's To Come?

According to the NWS, “elevated fire weather” with a “moderate risk of fast-moving fine fuel fires away from the coast” is expected for the rest of the week, due to breezy and dry conditions, with gustier winds possible in some foothills and Santa Barbara County zones.

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