Santa Rosa Island Fire Swells to 17,000 Acres After Boat Crash Flares Ignite Blaze
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 20
Santa Rosa Island Fire Swells to 17,000 Acres After Boat Crash Flares Ignite Blaze
4 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 20
Nearly 17,000 acres have burned on Santa Rosa Island, making it Southern California’s largest active wildfire, with containment still below 30%.
The blaze began Friday after a man crashed his boat on the island’s rocky coast and fired emergency flares for help, igniting the fire.
Dozens of firefighters are trying to protect a grove of endangered pine trees, while nearly a dozen National Park Service staff were evacuated by helicopter.
Across Southern California, more than eight fires are burning amid dry conditions, a spring heat wave and strong winds, triggering smoke advisories in Los Angeles and evacuation orders for thousands.
How can crews battle a 10,000-acre inferno on a remote island when winds ground all firefighting aircraft?
A wildfire threatens America's 'Galapagos.' What unique species and ancient artifacts are on the brink of being destroyed?
His rescue flare saved his life but torched an island. Does this disaster expose a fatal flaw in survival equipment?