Santa Rosa Island Wildfire Evacuation and Impact

A helicopter from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department evacuated 11 National Park Service employees from Santa Rosa Island as a wildfire spread across over 10,000 acres. The fire threatened to cut off access to employee housing.

The helicopter, identified as Helicopter 964, successfully transported all personnel to safety from Oxnard Airport, with no reported injuries.

This rapid intervention protected the park staff in the midst of the fierce blaze on the isolated Channel Islands National Park island. The fire destroyed two structures and was completely uncontained as of Sunday evening, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The vegetation fire was situated on the south side of Santa Rosa Island, between Ford Point and South Point. Cal Fire mapped the area of the fire at 10,025 acres by Sunday afternoon. Authorities have classified the fire as human-caused, and investigations are ongoing.

Smoke from the island traveled eastward to the California coast, affecting air quality early in the week, as reported by the National Weather Service in San Diego.

You may have noticed smoke in the air today. It’s due to the Santa Rosa Island fire, as confirmed by the NWS in San Diego.

California’s HRRR model predicts the presence of surface smoke until Tuesday, contingent on the continuation of the fire.

Santa Rosa Island is ecologically significant, hosting unique plant species found nowhere else and supporting animals such as island foxes, spotted skunks, and elephant seals. The wildfire threatens six native plant species exclusive to the island and poses a risk to the island’s wildlife.

Crews consisting of about 70 firefighters and park rangers fought the blaze Sunday night, according to The Times. The island, situated roughly 26 miles off Santa Barbara, closed to visitors while suppression efforts continue during the week.