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A fierce wildfire is currently sweeping through Santa Rosa Island, engulfing over 10,000 acres of the picturesque Californian landscape as firefighters grapple with challenging conditions.
This blaze has become the largest ever recorded on the island.
Fire crews, according to Cal Fire, are finding it tough to contain the flames, primarily due to strong winds that are driving the fire uphill at a rapid pace.
Authorities report that structures are still at risk, and the combination of coastal marine layers and high winds is complicating the use of aerial firefighting efforts.
Moreover, firefighters are dealing with several additional hurdles, including safeguarding endangered wildlife and preserving sensitive cultural and historical sites. The island’s remote location and limited communication infrastructure add to the complexity of their task.
The wildfire was reported after a 67-year-old mariner fired an emergency flare gun to call for help when he crashed his sailboat into the rocks near the island on Friday.
A fast-moving wildfire that has since spread across Channel Islands National Park, was reported when dry vegetation ignited.
According to Coast Guard Air Station Ventura, rescue crews were dispatched after the man spent the night stranded on the island.
Images released by officials showed the mariner near large “SOS” letters carved into the scorched ground to attract attention from rescuers overhead.
Since the rescue, the fire has rapidly expanded and remains 0% contained, forcing the emergency evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
Officials said the employees were safely transported from the housing areas that were threatened with being cut off by the fire to Oxnard Airport.
Authorities continue to monitor the fire and work to slow its spread amid the difficult weather conditions and challenging terrain.
As of now, there have been no reports of injuries related to the fire.
This comes as another blaze, the Sandy Fire, has scorched more than 1,300 acres across Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks, California.
Authorities have ordered mandatory evacuations across the region as the fire continues to spread rapidly with 0% containment.
Fire officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.