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On Sunday, a helicopter from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department carried out a crucial evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees from Santa Rosa Island. This emergency response came as a wildfire, ignited by human activity, rapidly spread over 10,000 acres, posing a significant threat to the employee housing on the island.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department detailed the operation: “Helicopter 964 was instrumental in evacuating 11 National Park Service employees from Santa Rosa Island today, amidst the ongoing vegetation fire. The crew efficiently transported all personnel from housing areas at risk of being isolated by the fire to Oxnard Airport. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.”
This prompt response underscores the commitment to safeguarding the park staff as they face the challenges posed by the wildfire.
The incident unfolded as firefighting teams continued their efforts against the wind-driven blaze on the isolated Channel Islands National Park. According to reports, the fire destroyed two structures and was not yet under control as of Sunday evening, as covered by the Los Angeles Times.
Accompanying this report, images from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department capture the helicopter crew’s critical efforts to safely evacuate National Park Service employees from the endangered areas. This operation highlights the ongoing risks faced by those living and working in such vulnerable environments.
The fire, burning on the south side of Santa Rosa Island between Ford Point and South Point, had been mapped at 10,025 acres by Sunday afternoon, according to Cal Fire. The National Park Service, which has jurisdiction over the incident, has described the fire as human-caused and under investigation.
The smoke from the island fire blew east to the California coast and will be impacting air quality early this week, the National Weather Service in San Diego reported.
“If you’ve smelled smoke today, you’re not imagining things,” NWS San Diego wrote Sunday on X. “Smoke from the Santa Rosa Islands Fire has been drifting towards our region. The HRRR model shows near-surface smoke through at least Tuesday, assuming the fire continues.”
The agency advised the public to monitor air quality at http://airnow.gov.
The blaze also poses an ecological threat on Santa Rosa Island, the second-largest of the Channel Islands and home to rare plants and animals. Park officials said the fire is threatening six plant species native to the island that are found nowhere else in the world, while the island also supports wildlife including island foxes, spotted skunks and elephant seals.
About 70 firefighters and park rangers were battling the fire Sunday night, according to the Times.
The island, located about 26 miles off Santa Barbara, has been closed to visitors at least through this week as crews continue suppression efforts.