More than 17,000 people are under evacuation orders as a wildfire continues to threaten suburban homes in Southern California.

Wildfire officials are spread across Southern California on Tuesday, May 19, as they battle multiple fires that have burned more than 1,300 acres on the state's mainland, as well as a fire on an island miles offshore.

Over 17,000 people in Southern California are under evacuation orders as the wind-driven Sandy Fire, reported Monday in the hills above Simi Valley, threatens suburban homes 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

By Matt Silverstein, Jana Winter, Helen Coster and Andrew Hay SAN DIEGO, May 19 (Reuters) - The security guard slain at the Islamic Center of San Diego was hailed on Tuesday as a fallen hero who sacrificed his life to keep 140 school children inside the mosque safe by engaging two gunmen in a shootout that deterred the teenage suspects and helped thwart their attack.

Authorities have ordered thousands of people to evacuate as a wind-driven wildfire threatens suburban homes in Southern California.

Voters across California will cast their ballots to weigh in on federal races and major statewide offices — including governor.

There are "ongoing legislative efforts to rename and reinterpret the site."