Boat crash leads to massive Calif. national park wildfire
SFGATE • • general
Key Points:
- A 67-year-old sailor stranded on Santa Rosa Island started California's largest wildfire of the year by firing emergency flares after his sailboat crashed on the island's rocks.
- The flare ignited a wildfire that rapidly expanded to over 10,000 acres, destroying two historic structures and threatening other areas including the Vail & Vickers Ranch historic district.
- More than 70 firefighters are battling the blaze, with additional personnel expected as winds weaken; no injuries have been reported so far.
- Firefighting efforts are focused on protecting the rare Torrey pines, a unique species found only on Santa Rosa Island and in San Diego.
- Eleven National Park Service staff members were evacuated by helicopter due to the fire, which remains uncontained as of Monday morning.