CAL FIRE crews in Merced County are fighting a wildfire near Highway 152 that sparked Wednesday morning.
The fire began after a man's sailboat crashed into the rocks on the island, according to the Coast Guard. He reportedly fired emergency flares to signal for help before he was rescued.
The wind-driven Sandy Fire was reported Monday in the hills above Simi Valley, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
As wildfire season intensifies across California, hundreds of personnel are working behind the scenes to ensure firefighting aircraft can respond quickly to emerging fires.
Fire officials said the blaze had spread to over 180 acres shortly before noon.
Fire crews battled a 15-acre fire near Laton in Fresno County on Saturday, officials say.