🔥 CACNP Santa Rosa Island Fire

DangerousFire/Smoke✓ Verified

This condition was reported 29 days ago and may no longer be accurate.

Description

Last updated: 2026-05-25 --- The type of incident is Wildfire and involves the following unit(s) Channel Islands National Park. --- State: California --- Coordinates: Latitude: 33° 55 2 Longitude: 120° 5 10 --- NOTE: All fire perimeters and points are approximations. --- Incident Overview: Current Conditions:The Santa Rosa Island Fire remains 18,379 acres and is 97% contained. No growth is expected.After a wildfire, the National Park Service’s first priority is emergency stabilization to prevent additional risks to visitor safety, park infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources. Once the fire is out, the NPS begins longer-term rehabilitation, focusing on areas that are unlikely to recover naturally without intervention.The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program is the NPS framework for addressing these urgent post-fire needs. BAER’s purpose is to quickly assess burned areas, determine where emergency treatments are necessary, and implement actions that reduce threats to public safety, protect park facilities, and prevent unacceptable loss or degradation of natural and cultural resources.BAER teams consist of specialists such as hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, biologists, vegetation experts, and archeologists. These professionals rapidly evaluate fire impacts and prescribe stabilization measures designed to protect park resources and the people who use them.Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists will arrive on the island on June 5 to begin the assessment process.&nbsp;To learn more about the NPS BAER program, visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fire/post-wildland-fire-programs.htm.&nbsp;Background:On Friday, May 15, 2026, an aircraft flying over Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park reported a wildfire. National Park Service (NPS) staff already on the island confirmed it later that morning. The Santa Rosa Island Fire is located on the southeastern end of the island in remote and rugged terrain. This is a full-suppression human-caused wildfire and is under investigation.Closures:Santa Rosa Island is closed to all day and overnight use through at least June 30, 2026, due to the wildfire. All Water Canyon Campground reservations have been cancelled through this date and visitors have been notified by email. Campground reservation holders with bookings through August 14, 2026, have also been informed that the wildfire may affect their stay. If additional cancellations are needed, they will receive follow-up emails.Structures:&nbsp;There are two uninhabited historic structures in the area, Johnson’s Lee Equipment Shed on the western edge, and Wreck Line Camp Cabin on the eastern edge. Unfortunately, both have been confirmed destroyed. An additional storage structure was also destroyed adjacent to Johnson’s Lee Equipment Shed, along with a wind shelter at a campsite at Water Canyon Campground. --- Source: InciWeb | http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cacnp-santa-rosa-island-fire