Angel Island Closed till Monday

The devastating wildfire that raged across half of Angel Island on Sunday night was started by "human involvement," fire officials announced yesterday. The fire started near a campsite but investigators have yet to determine if the culprit was an irresponsible smoker, a careless camper or an arsonist.

What they do know is that the damage could have been far worse. During the island’s 83-year military occupation, several small groves of eucalyptus trees were planted. The fast-growing trees began crowding out native flora, and in the early ’90s, all but a few "historical" acres of the non-native species were removed. Had that not happened, the hot-burning eucalyptus — referred to by fire officials as "standing gasoline" — would likely have spread the fire to the island’s historic structures. As it was, firefighters successfully worked their asses off all night to keep that from happening.

Park Superintendent Dave Matthews reports that the island, including Ayala Cove, will be closed until Monday.