In brief
Recent wildfires in Southern California have prompted evacuation orders for over 10,000 homes. The Sandy Fire, ignited in Simi Valley, has burned through significant land, with no containment reported. Satellite imagery provides critical information on fire spread, as firefighters struggle against challenging conditions. The situation is further complicated by another blaze on Santa Rosa Island, affecting unique ecosystems.
Satellite images have revealed the scale of two wildfires spreading in southern California.
The Sandy Fire ignited on Monday morning in the city of Simi Valley, north-west of Los Angeles, according to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Satellite images taken just after noon local time (20:00 BST) on Monday show a large plume of smoke rising into the air just south of the city.
California fire officials said on Tuesday morning that 750 firefighters were being supported by night-flying water dropping helicopters to target hotspots.
The Simi Valley Police Department reported that an individual hit a rock with a tractor, which sparked the fire, as it spread across 1,364 acres (550 hectares) with no containment as of yet.
More than 10,000 homes have been evacuated from Simi Valley and surrounding communities, with a further 3,500 under evacuation warnings extending into neighboring Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass assured that officials don't expect the blaze to reach the city but have issued warnings as a precaution.
The situation has been further complicated by another fire on Santa Rosa Island, which has burned 14,600 acres (6,000 hectares) of the Channel Islands National Park, with the blaze uncontained and efforts ongoing.
Officials are closely monitoring the wildfires as they develop, utilizing NASA's satellite-based wildfire monitoring platform to assess hotspots and changes in fire movement.
