A wildfire that ignited on Santa Rosa Island within Channel Islands National Park has become California's largest wildfire so far this year, charring over 10,000 acres, damaging historic structures, and threatening rare plant communities that conservationists had worked diligently to restore.
Fire Containment Efforts Hampered by Winds
Approximately six dozen firefighters have been deployed to combat the blaze, which began on Friday. However, their efforts have been undermined by strong winds, and the fire remains at 0% containment, according to a Cal Fire incident report released on Monday.
Distress Flare Likely Sparked the Blaze
The fire on Santa Rosa Island appears to have originated after a 67-year-old sailor crashed his boat against the rocky shore, leaving him stranded. In an attempt to attract attention from passing vessels, he fired at least two distress flares.
According to Kenneth Wiese, a spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard's southwest district, the strategy worked. People aboard two separate boats contacted the National Park Service (NPS) to report a possible marooned individual on Santa Rosa Island, which is part of the Channel Islands National Park off the southern California coast.
The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter that was already in flight to rescue the man, who had spent the night on the island. Images posted to Instagram by the Coast Guard show that the man had etched the letters "SOS" into the charred ground. He was transported to a hospital in nearby Camarillo and did not appear to be injured.
"We do know that he launched some flares to try to get some attention," Wiese said. "It paid off for him. We were able to get him out of there."
However, those flares may have ignited the wildfire along the southern coast of the 53,000-acre island. Wiese could not confirm the fire's cause but noted that the NPS is conducting an investigation. The NPS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Island Closed to Visitors; Structures Destroyed
The NPS posted a notice on Sunday announcing that Santa Rosa Island is closed to visitors while firefighters work to control the blaze. Staff were evacuated on Sunday, according to the Mercury News. The fire has reportedly destroyed two structures: Johnson's Lee Equipment Shed and Wreck Line Camp Cabin.
Ecological Impact on Rare Plants
The Channel Islands are renowned for their high biodiversity, often described as the "Galapagos of California." However, Santa Rosa's ecology has suffered from over a century of uncontrolled grazing by livestock and non-native ungulates introduced for hunting. Both livestock and non-native wildlife were removed over a decade ago, allowing native plants to recover.
Six native plant species grow exclusively on Santa Rosa Island, according to the San Francisco Gate. The NPS is also hoping to shield a rare area of Torrey pines from the flames.
