Overview
- The wildfire, first detected on May 15, has charred roughly 16,900–17,000 acres and is about 25–26% contained after crews limited growth with improved weather and increased air support.
- Incident managers confirmed the loss of three uninhabited historic structures and closed Santa Rosa Island to day and overnight visitors to protect people and cultural resources.
- Investigators have labeled the blaze human‑caused and are examining whether an SOS flare fired by a shipwrecked 67‑year‑old mariner may have ignited dry vegetation, though the U.S. Coast Guard has clarified the cause remains under investigation.
- Firefighting efforts have escalated with boat transport of crews and equipment, hose lays and portable pumps tied to a 100,000‑gallon system, deployment of type‑6 engines and a Chumash crew, plus water‑scooping planes and large airtankers including a modified Boeing 737.
- The island fire is the largest of several Southern California blazes that together have scorched more than 20,000 acres, driven evacuations and strained regional resources as warm, windy Santa Ana conditions persist.