As of Thursday, May 21, 2026:
The fire on Santa Rosa Island has now burned 17,554 acres, but is reported to be 44% contained. Specific news on wildlife and rare plants remains limited. This is what we know:
Official report from government agencies 5/21/26 on the fire (https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cacnp-santa-rosa-island-fire)
Highlights: Increased humidity has assisted firefighting. Today firefighters along the western fire edge are concentrating on the Cloud Forest area and working south. The fire has passed through Water Canyon, but damage to the campground was minimal.
According the official report: "Resource Advisors continue working alongside firefighters to ensure that sensitive species and the island's cultural assets are accommodated as effectively as possible throughout firefighting operations."
The Santa Barbara Independent reports that members of the Chumash Fire Department have joined the firefighting effort and will work with Resource Advisors on protecting Chumash cultural resources.
Containment lines are being established along Telephone Road in the area of Cherry Canyon.
Regarding island foxes:
Like the rest of us, NPS biologists are watching the firefighting effort from the mainland. They hope to check on the status of collared foxes "as soon as possible." From a small plane they will fly over the island searching for the signals of radio-collared island foxes and accessing survivorship.
Once it is safe for biologists to return to the island, they'll be able to determine what their population wide response and capacity will be. Because the impact to individual island foxes is unknown, the National Park is already reaching out to mainland partners for possible veterinary support.
This is an "unprecedented catastrophe," biologists say, the full impact may not be known until island-wide island fox monitoring takes place later this summer. "Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone who is reaching out and offering concern for our beloved foxes."
When FIF has more info on specific needs for Santa Rosa Island foxes, we will post it here on islandfox.org and through our social media.
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| Grove of Santa Rosa Torrey Pines (at right, along ridge) before the fire. |
Regarding the Torrey Pines:
The fire is believed to have burned quickly through the stand of rare Santa Rosa Island Torrey pines. In 2015, approximately 10,000 pines were counted in the single grove. Fire has not accessed these trees since the National Park was established. Firefighters report that the fire burned less intensely as it came down the slope. Preliminary firefighter reports are that pines are still standing and the grove remains. The full extent of the damage, however, will not be known until ecologists and tree experts can access the island.
