Island Fox

05/27/2026

In the wake of the recent fire on Santa Rosa Island, Blackwood Wines is partnering with Friends of the Island Fox through their 2024 Collaboration Chardonnay, featuring the island fox proudly on the label. Created with their friends at , this special-release Chardonnay supports conservation, education, and recovery efforts on the island.

All profits from every bottle sold through the end of June will be donated to the Island Fox Fire Fund.

About Blackwood Wines:
Blackwood Wines is a small, husband‑and‑wife–run winery founded by Patrick and Emma. Producing only a few barrels each year, we focus on crafting the wines we love to share with the people we love—our friends and family. Our goal is to create balanced, structured wines that honor the place and season in which the grapes were grown, delivering character and quality without compromise.

Fire photo courtesy of Paul Hiott

For more information and a link to Blackwood Wines please see link in bio

05/25/2026

Santa Rosa Island Fire Update 5.25.2026

As of today, the Santa Rosa Island wildfire has burned 18,379 acres and is ~87% contained, with no significant growth in recent days. It is the largest wildfire in California this year, it has impacted nearly a third of this ecologically unique island.

Crews are transitioning into mop-up operations, securing the perimeter and extinguishing remaining hotspots in challenging, remote terrain.

Santa Rosa Island is home to species found nowhere else. While impacts are still being assessed, early surveys suggest the rare Torrey pine grove may largely remain intact—a hopeful sign.

We are working with our partners to monitor wildlife impacts—including the island fox and island spotted skunk—and support recovery efforts ahead.

Thank you to the firefighters and park staff protecting this extraordinary place.

Stay tuned for ways you can help

For more information please see link in bio

05/25/2026

05/21/2026

From http://www1.islandfox.org/
As of Thursday, May 21, 2026:

The fire on Santa Rosa Island has now burned 17,554 acres, but is reported to be 44% contained. Specific news on wildlife and rare plants remains limited. This is what we know:

Official report from government agencies 5/21/26 on the fire (https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cacnp-santa-rosa-island-fire)

Highlights: Increased humidity has assisted firefighting. Today firefighters along the western fire edge are concentrating on the Cloud Forest area and working south. The fire has passed through Water Canyon, but damage to the campground was minimal.

According the official report: "Resource Advisors continue working alongside firefighters to ensure that sensitive species and the island's cultural assets are accommodated as effectively as possible throughout firefighting operations."

The Santa Barbara Independent reports that members of the Chumash Fire Department have joined the firefighting effort and will work with Resource Advisors on protecting Chumash cultural resources.

Containment lines are being established along Telephone Road in the area of Cherry Canyon.

05/21/2026

From foxtracker805
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYm-c-cmmc3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

As many of you know, Santa Rosa Island is currently impacted by an active wildfire. Right now, they are in full emergency response mode. Only firefighters and a small number of red-carded staff are allowed on the island, and every available resource is focused on containment and safety.

There are some early signs of progress. Overnight activity has eased, with fire behavior reduced to low-intensity ground fire and smoldering in some areas thanks to improved humidity. Crews continue critical work across the island, including protecting sensitive habitats like the Cloud Forest and holding containment lines near Soledad Peak and Telephone Road.

Currently, park biologists are unable to access the island to assess impacts to the island fox population directly. As soon as it is safe and we are permitted to return, one of their first priorities will be checking on our collared foxes and understanding how they’ve been affected. Longer-term monitoring will help us better understand the population-level impacts, which we fear could be significant.

Park biologists are actively coordinating with partners, including veterinary support teams, as they begin thinking about what recovery and response may look like in the weeks ahead. This is an unprecedented situation, and many details are still unfolding—but please know we will continue to share updates as we learn more.

Thank you for your continued support and for keeping Santa Rosa Island, its wildlife, and the crews working tirelessly to protect it in your thoughts. 🦊🔥🌿

For more information please see link in bio

05/20/2026

Update: Tuesday, May 19, 5:00 pn
The wildfire according to CalFire estimates at least 16,938 acres have burned on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park since igniting on May 15.
photo source: USCG Air Station Ventura Coast
For more information please visit us at
http://www1.islandfox.org/

We are grateful to the firefighters, National Park Service staff, and partners working under difficult conditions. Our thoughts are with our National Park friends as they work to protect rare plants, like the Santa Rosa Island Torrey pine and other endemic island species, and to preserve infrastructure that enables biologists and researchers to study the island ecosystem.

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

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

05/16/2026

Island Fox Conservation Working Group + Necropsy Workshop (May 13–14, 2026) at the Santa Barbara Zo

Grateful to be part of two days of collaboration, learning, and hands-on training with partners dedicated to protecting the Channel Islands’ iconic island fox. From working group discussions on conservation priorities to the necropsy workshop building critical field skills, it was inspiring to see so many experts aligned around one mission—keeping these unique animals thriving.

Appreciate everyone who shared their knowledge and passion—strong teams make stronger conservation outcomes.

For more information on how you can help this charismatic creature of the Channel Islands please see link in bio.

04/30/2026

Join Friends of the Island Fox for a Virtual Event

May 12, 2026 06:30 PM  Pacific

Join us for “Date with a Fox” with PhD candidate Holly Gamblin. Gamblin was an Island Fox Project Manager on San Clemente Island and is currently researching arctic foxes. She’ll share her insights on “Changing biomes; Implications of a rapidly shifting landscape on Arctic fox dynamics.” Just as island foxes were impacted by the arrival of golden eagles as a new predator, Arctic foxes are being impacted by red foxes following warmer temperatures northward.

Please see link in bio
 
Find us online at islandfox.org