Rare species threatened by devastating California island wildfire
A massive wildfire on Santa Rosa Island in California is threatening rare plant species, including the unique Torrey pine. As of Thursday, the fire has scorched over 17,500 acres and is 44% contained. Fire crews are assessing damage to the island's fragile ecosystem and historic structures while investigating the cause of the blaze.
- ▪The Santa Rosa Island Fire has burned 17,554 acres and is 44% contained as of Thursday.
- ▪The fire threatens the rare Santa Rosa Island Torrey pine, which is classified as possibly the rarest pine in the world.
- ▪Initial assessments indicate that while some Torrey pine groves remain intact, some areas burned with higher intensity.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Metro Rare species threatened by devastating California island wildfire By Daniel Farr Published May 21, 2026, 7:35 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google A massive wildfire raging across California’s remote Santa Rosa Island is threatening some of the rarest plant species on Earth, including a unique strain of Torrey pine found in only two places worldwide. The Santa Rosa Island Fire had scorched 17,554 acres and was 44% contained as of 4 p.m. Thursday, nearly a week after flames first erupted on May 15 on the island’s rugged southeastern terrain southwest of Santa Barbara. 7 Satellite view of a fire burning on Santa Rosa Island.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from California Post
