Santa Rosa Island Fire 2026

Current Conditions:

Santa Rosa Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, will remain closed to visitors until at least June 30 following the Santa Rosa Island Fire, a human-caused wildfire that burned less than 40 percent of the island. 

Beginning June 5, a team of Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists will spend approximately one week on the island evaluating post-fire conditions and identifying immediate risks to public safety, infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources. 

"Although the fire is expected to reach 100 percent containment today, significant hazards remain across the landscape," said Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Ethan McKinley. "The temporary closure helps protect visitors, employees, and emergency personnel while allowing specialists to assess fire impacts and determine what actions are needed to safely reopen portions of the island." 

Containment, according to park officials, simply means firefighters have established control lines around the fire's perimeter. Hazardous conditions can persist for weeks or months after a wildfire and may exist both inside and outside the burned area. Potential hazards include unstable soils, weakened trees, damaged infrastructure, falling rocks, erosion, and altered trail conditions. 

The BAER team will include engineers, ecologists, hydrologists, archaeologists, and wildland fire specialists. Team members will assess soil stability, watershed conditions, infrastructure damage, threats to natural and cultural resources, and other post-fire impacts. Their findings will help guide emergency stabilization efforts and inform decisions about public access. 

Background:

On Friday, May 15, 2026, an aircraft flying over Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park reported a wildfire. National Park Service (NPS) staff already on the island confirmed it later that morning. The Santa Rosa Island Fire is located on the southeastern end of the island in remote and rugged terrain. This is a full-suppression human-caused wildfire and is under investigation.

Closures:

Santa Rosa Island is closed to all day and overnight use through at least June 30, 2026, due to the wildfire. All Water Canyon Campground reservations have been cancelled through this date and visitors have been notified by email. Campground reservation holders with bookings through August 14, 2026, have also been informed that the wildfire may affect their stay. If additional cancellations are needed, they will receive follow-up emails.

Overnight and backcountry camping within the southeastern quadrant of Santa Rosa Island will remain closed for the remainder of the 2026 recreation season. 

Structures: 

There are two uninhabited historic structures in the area, Johnson’s Lee Equipment Shed on the western edge, and Wreck Line Camp Cabin on the eastern edge. Unfortunately, both have been confirmed destroyed. An additional storage structure was also destroyed adjacent to Johnson’s Lee Equipment Shed, along with a wind shelter at a campsite at Water Canyon Campground.