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A Santa Barbara County Fire Department helicopter successfully evacuated 11 National Park Service employees from Santa Rosa Island on Sunday (May 17) as a wildfire, believed to be human-caused, spread across more than 10,000 acres. The blaze threatened to cut off employee housing, prompting the swift rescue operation.
The helicopter transported the personnel safely to Oxnard Airport, with no injuries reported, according to a post on X by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. The fire, which started on the south side of Santa Rosa Island between Ford Point and South Point, has destroyed two structures and remained 0% contained as of Sunday evening.
The fire poses significant ecological threats to the island, which is home to rare plants and animals. Park officials have expressed concern over six plant species native to the island that are found nowhere else in the world, as well as wildlife including island foxes, spotted skunks, and elephant seals.
The National Park Service has described the fire as human-caused, and it remains under investigation. The smoke from the fire has been impacting air quality along the California coast, with the National Weather Service in San Diego advising the public to monitor air quality conditions.
Efforts to contain the fire are ongoing, with about 70 firefighters and park rangers battling the blaze. More crews are expected to respond as conditions improve. The island, located approximately 26 miles off Santa Barbara, has been closed to visitors through the week as suppression efforts continue.