California island fire linked to sailor's distress flare scorches 10,000 acres
Fire on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands national park becomes state's largest this year and threatens rare plants
www.theguardian.comflames on Santa Rosa Island within Channel Islands has burned tens of thousands of acres, becoming California's largest wildfire of the year. Containment work are ongoing by late May, as crews fighting the flames, while some historic buildings were lost. Access to the island was restricted to safeguard rare flora and fauna. The blaze originated when a mariner’s distress flare was fired, according to Coast Guard and National Park Service reports. Containment has progressed through coordinated efforts among agencies. No civilian or firefighter fatalities or injuries have been reported so far. Environmental impacts on unique plant and animal life remain a focus of suppression and repair work.