California island fire linked to sailor's distress flare scorches 10,000 acres
Fire on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands national park becomes state's largest this year and threatens rare plants
www.theguardian.comfire on Santa Rosa Island within Channel Islands has burned tens of thousands of acres, California’s biggest blaze this year. Containment progress are advancing by late May, multi-agency teams working to control the fire, while some historic buildings were lost. Access to the island was restricted to safeguard rare flora and fauna. The blaze was sparked after a mariner crashed his boat, as reported by Coast Guard and NPS. Containment has advanced through coordinated efforts among agencies. No civilian or firefighter fatalities or injuries have been reported so far. Efforts to suppress and repair continue with emphasis on the island’s unique ecosystems.