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Santa Rosa Island closed to visitors after massive fire
Specialists are evaluating the burn zone and any hazards on Santa Rosa Island.
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National Park Service
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inciweb.wildfire.gov
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Topline:
The background: The fire started on May 15 after a sailor ran aground on the island. Though the cause is still being investigated, the U.S. Coast Guard said it was possibly started by flares used by the stranded boater calling for help.
Santa Rosa Island, the second largest island in Channel Islands National Park, will be closed to visitors at least through the end of June after a major wildfire burned over 18,000 acres, more than one-third of the island. Overnight and backcountry camping within the burn areas will also remain closed for the rest of the year.
Why it matters: The island is home to some of the rarest plants and animals on the planet, including the house cat-sized Santa Rosa Island fox and critically endangered Torrey pines. The island is also part of the ancestral territory of the Chumash people. Some of the oldest human remains in North America have been found there, dating back some 13,000 years. The island is beloved by backpackers and hikers as well.
What’s next: The fire has been fully contained, meaning firefighters have stopped its progression. Starting today, a team of specialists — including engineers, ecologists and fire experts — will spend about a week on the island evaluating the post-fire conditions.
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