Largest wildfire on Santa Rosa Island threatens rare Torrey pines and island life
A human-caused wildfire on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park has grown to roughly 15,000 acres (about a quarter of the island), marking the island’s largest blaze in modern history and remaining 0% contained as crews fight steep terrain with boats and limited air support; two historic buildings were destroyed, and the blaze threatens rare Torrey pines and other endemic island life, while a mariner rescued after his sailboat crashed signaled for help.