More than 17,000 people were under evacuation orders in Southern California as the wind-driven Sandy Fire burned near Simi Valley north of Los Angeles.

The fire had grown to about 1,698 acres, was only 5% contained, and had destroyed at least one home, though calmer winds briefly helped firefighters make progress.

Around 750 firefighters, along with aircraft, were working to contain the blaze as officials warned conditions could worsen again.

Additional fires in Riverside County also prompted evacuations, with one blaze injuring at least four people and another largely contained after its forward spread was stopped, The Guardian has reported.

Meanwhile, a separate wildfire on Santa Rosa Island burned across much of the island, forcing evacuations and damaging structures, with investigators still examining its cause.