A fire on Santa Rosa Island continued to burn out of control Sunday, blackening more than 10,000 acres and destroying two uninhabited historical structures as crews cope with the remote location, windy conditions and communication challenges.
The blaze was reported Friday on the Channel Islands National Park site about 26 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara and considered part of Santa Barbara County. Authorities said the fire started when a man on a crashed sailboat fired flares.
The Santa Rosa Island Fire was burning on the southeastern end of the island in rugged terrain with the remote island access and communications remaining challenges.
As of Sunday afternoon, the fire had burned 10,025 acres and was 0% contained, according to Cal Fire mapping efforts.
Firefighting activity has been hampered by a gale warning expected to expire at 3 a.m. Monday. The National Weather Service warned of northwest winds 20 to 30 knots (23 to 35 mph) with gusts up to 40 knots (46 mph) and combined seas of 16 to 21 feet when conditions are worst.
As of Sunday, the firefighting force numbered 70 with the incident command shared by National Park Service and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.
“Additional fire crews are on order and expected to be transported out to the island tomorrow after the winds subside and boating conditions are safer,” incident commanders said.
The fire remains active on the eastern and western edges. On the east side, the fire reached East Point and the East Point Road.
On the west side, the fire remains in the area of the South Point Lighthouse, but the status of the lighthouse was unknown, officials said.
Two uninhabited historic structures, the Johnson’s Lee Equipment Shed on the western edge, and the Wreck Line Camp Cabin on the eastern edge, have been confirmed destroyed.
An additional storage structure was also destroyed adjacent to Johnson’s Lee Equipment Shed.
“It’s important to note that firefighters are working closely with Channel Islands National Park staff to ensure the protection of cultural assets and sites, along with the island’s unique plant and animal habitat,” federal officials said.
“Six plant species are found on Santa Rosa Island and nowhere else in the world. “
The National Park Service has closed Santa Rosa Island to public use for day and overnight visitors until further notice.
Visitors with campground reservations at Water Canyon Campground have been notified via e-mail, Park Service personnel said.
The second largest of the Channel Islands, Santa Rosa encompasses 53,195 acres. It’s approximately 15 miles wide by 10 miles long encompassing 84 square miles.