A nearly 17,000-acre wildfire on Santa Rosa Island, sparked during a mariner rescue, is now the largest this year. - The fire ignited early Friday, May 15, before the rescue of a 67-year-old stranded sailor.
- The sailor's vessel caught fire, but smoke went unnoticed until he fired distress flares. - All 11 federal park employees were evacuated, and the island is closed to the public.
- The fire threatens native Torrey Pine trees, found only in two locations worldwide. The blaze continues to burn across the federally protected island.