05/18/2026
A fast-moving wildfire has now burned over 10,000 acres on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park since igniting on May 15.
Driven by high winds and rugged terrain, the fire remains 0% contained as of the latest CAL FIRE update, with “extreme fire behavior” continuing to challenge suppression efforts.
Two historic structures have already been lost, and the island—home to species found nowhere else on Earth—remains closed as crews work to protect sensitive habitats.
For the island fox and island spotted skunk, this fire represents a serious and uncertain threat. These endemic mammals depend on a fragile mosaic of coastal sage scrub, grasslands, and chaparral. Fire can strip vital cover, reduce prey availability, and expose animals to predation and stress during recovery. Now is an especially vulnerable time for the foxes as pups are still in their natal dens. On islands, where there is no “elsewhere” to go, impacts can be especially severe.
We are grateful to the firefighters, National Park Service staff, and partners working under difficult conditions—including limited access, high winds, and the challenge of protecting wildlife in a remote island environment.
We will continue to monitor impacts to island foxes and island spotted skunks and support recovery efforts in the weeks and months ahead.
Please keep Santa Rosa Island, its wildlife, and the response teams in your thoughts.
For more information about the foxes and skunks please see link in bio.
Conservation ProtectWildlife FriendsOfTheIslandFox