Sandy Fire: Thousands told to leave homes in California as wildfire spreads

More than 17,000 people have been told to leave their homes in southern California after a wildfire threatened properties.

Evacuation orders and warnings were issued by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) over the Sandy Fire, which is being fuelled by windy conditions.

The alerts cover several neighbourhoods in Simi Valley, a city with a population of more than 125,000, which is about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

On its website, it said there was "an immediate threat to life" in some areas.

By Tuesday morning local time, the flames had destroyed more than two square miles (five sq km) of dry brush and at least one home, in the hills above the city, the Ventura County Fire Department said.

Spokesperson Andrew Dowd said firefighters battling the flames were helped by calmer winds overnight into Tuesday after the fires were initially pushed by gusts of more than 30mph (48kph).

Crews hoped to make further progress before winds increased again, he said.

Mr Dowd said: "We've made a lot of progress against this fire with those improved weather conditions."

Cal Fire said it was 5% contained with almost 1,400 acres affected.

It said the fire remains "within its existing footprint, with firefighters monitoring and addressing areas of residual heat along the southeastern flank. Crews remain engaged to ensure hotspots do not flare up".

The cause is under investigation.

Second blaze

Firefighters have also been tackling a 23 square-mile (59 sq km) blaze on Santa Rosa Island, off the Southern California coast.

The fire destroyed a cabin and an equipment shed and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees.

Santa Rosa, a popular destination for camping and hiking, is home to island foxes, spotted skunks and elephant seals.

Cal Fire said it was not contained and had spread across 14,600 acres.

The cause of that fire has not been confirmed but authorities are reportedly investigating whether it was linked to a stranded sailor using flares to attract the attention of passing boats.

Pictures have been published of a man standing on the island in front of a patch of burned ground on which was written "SOS".

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The US Coast Guard Air Station Ventura, which rescued the man, posted video on its Instagram account of the fires, showing huge banks of smoke, taken from a helicopter.

It said a "MH-60T Jayhawk aircrew rescued a 67-year-old mariner after his sailboat crashed into the rocks at Santa Rosa Island" on Friday.

The sailor was unhurt "after spending the night stranded on the island where a fire had also been reported".

It said its aircrew found the man and "hoisted him to safety before transferring him to awaiting medical personnel at Camarillo Airport. The outbreak of the fire is under investigation".

(c) Sky News 2026: Sandy Fire: Thousands told to leave homes in California as wildfire spreads