The Santa Rosa Island Fire has expanded to 17,000 acres with no containment as of Tuesday, driven by high winds. Eleven National Park Service employees were safely evacuated.
The fire may have been sparked by a stranded sailboat's distress flares or embers from the burning vessel. - Fire size: 17,000 acres, 0% containment.
- 11 NPS employees rescued and evacuated to Oxnard Airport. - Cause under investigation: distress flares or burning vessel embers.
- High winds continue to challenge firefighting efforts. The incident began when a 67-year-old mariner's sailboat ran aground on May 14; he was rescued after firing flares.
The fire remains active, with crews working to contain it.