On Tuesday, fire officials said the Sandy Fire had experienced significant growth due to shifting winds, steep terrain and canyon-driven fire behavior.

A dangerous wildfire broke out in Simi Valley on May 18, quickly threatening neighborhoods, prompting evacuation orders and destroying a home.

By mid-afternoon it had consumed more than 500 acres of dry brush and damaged at least one home, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

Three fires burning in Southern California are a reminder that the entire state faces difficult conditions this summer, California’s top firefighting official said Tuesday.

Fueled by gusting winds and warm temperatures, multiple large wildfires continued to menace Southern California on Wednesday, prompting thousands of residents to evacuate, authorities said.

The Verona Fire near the city of Hemet was spreading at a “dangerous rate” and has not yet been contained at all, the state fire authority Cal Fire warned.