Sailor Seeking Rescue Starts Grassfire on Santa Rosa Island

Tragedy first struck a sailor in Southern California when he lost his boat on the shores of Santa Rosa Island, and then again when his rescue flare set the island on fire. SFGate reported that when the sailboat hit the shoreline on Santa Rosa Island on Friday the captain set off a flare, which lit an unintended grassfire that has now spread to over 10,000 acres of the 50,000-acre island.

From what we’ve learned online, the 67-year-old sailor may have first had a fire on their 54-ft sailboat, which then went aground and sank along the shore. After seeing the smoke from the fire, the captain of a charter fishing boat saw the stranded sailor and called the Coast Guard, who sent a helicopter to pick up the sailor and take them to safety.

The boat went aground Thursday night, the fire was seen early Friday morning, and the sailor was rescued by about 10:30 in the morning.

There have been strong winds fanning the flames all weekend, so the 10,000-square-mile file continues to expand with zero containment so far. The island is a national park that is popular with Southern California cruisers. (Mike Pyzel wrote a story in our August 2020 issue about the pleasures — and challenges — of cruising these islands.) The fire has already destroyed two historic sites, including Johnson’s Lee Equipment Shed on the western edge, and the Wreck Line Camp Cabin on the eastern edge.

It’s a tragedy for the sailor, the national park and CAL FIRE, which is struggling to bring the fire under control.

According to Fox News, 11 National Park Service employees were evacuated from the island. Around 70 firefighters have been working across the weekend to contain the fire, with more expected to arrive today, KTLA News reported.

The island is home to six native plant species found only on Santa Rosa and nowhere else in the world.

There’s more to be learned in the days ahead. Meanwhile we all hope the fire can be contained as soon as possible.