10,000-acre Santa Rosa Island Fire prompts CA national park closure

The Santa Rosa Island Fire, which destroyed historic structures and triggered a National Park Service closure off California’s coast, has surpassed 10,000 acres. It comes as parts of the state are under wind advisories and red flag warnings into Monday, May 18.

The blaze reached 10,025 acres two days after the incident was reported on May 15, according to Cal Fire.

The fire is burning swaths of Santa Rosa Island, one of five islands part of the Channel Islands National Park and located southwest of Santa Barbara. Santa Rosa Island boasts rare plant species like the Torrey pine, impressive views of the Pacific Ocean, and recreation like hiking and camping. The island has also made headlines thanks to the history the land holds, like mammoth and sea cow fossils.  

The wildfire is “human-caused” and under investigation, according to an incident report.

Here’s what you need to know about the Santa Rosa Island Fire, including its location, park closures and what we know about its destruction.

Where is the fire on Santa Rosa Island?

The over 10,000-acre fire is in the “southeastern end of the island in remote and rugged terrain,” according to an incident report. Satellite imagery shows the fire is about half a mile from the Torrey pines area — the Torrey pine is “the rarest native pine in the United States” and “only grows naturally” on Santa Rosa Island and near San Diego, according to the National Park Service.

The National Park Service said the island is also home to six plant species found only there.

What’s the latest with the Santa Rosa Island Fire?

The blaze remains 0% contained as of the morning of May 18. Additional firefighters are arriving via boat, according to the latest incident update on May 18.

“Extreme fire behavior continues to challenge suppression efforts” and “structures remain threatened,” Cal Fire said as of a morning update on May 18.

Also challenging firefighting efforts have been unfavorable wind conditions, although crews are optimistic that water drops can begin soon, according to the incident report.

Is Santa Rosa Island closed?

The National Park Service announced the closure of Santa Rosa Island on Sunday, May 17, due to the fire. The island is closed until further notice.

What has been destroyed on Santa Rosa Island?

Two historic structures on Santa Rosa Island were confirmed destroyed, according to an incident report: Johnson’s Lee Equipment Shed and Wreck Line Camp Cabin. Both structures were uninhabited, and a storage structure adjacent to Johnson’s Lee Equipment Shed was also destroyed in the blaze, according to the incident report.

See CA fire map

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].