Distress Flare Suspected as Cause of Major U.S. Wildfire After 'SOS' Signal

Sailor in His 60s Fires Distress Flares for Rescue

Successfully Rescued but Flares Blamed for Wildfire

Exact Cause of the Fire Under Investigation

A large wildfire that broke out in a U.S. California national marine park is suspected to have originated from a distress flare fired by a stranded sailor.

According to reports from the Guardian and other outlets on May 19 (local time), a wildfire on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park, California, burned over 10,000 acres, making it the largest wildfire in California so far this year. The fire destroyed historic buildings and threatened rare plant communities that had been painstakingly restored through conservation efforts.

The letters 'SOS' engraved on the ground. Ventura Coast Guard Station, USA

The wildfire is believed to have started after a sailor became stranded when his boat struck rocks along the island’s coastline. In the process, a 67-year-old man fired at least two distress flares to attract the attention of passing vessels.

Fortunately, the flares were effective in signaling for help. According to Kenneth Beecher, spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Southwest District, passengers on two separate vessels reported to the National Park Service (NPS) that someone appeared to be stranded on Santa Rosa Island.

The Coast Guard deployed a helicopter already in flight to rescue the man, who had spent the night on the island. In a photo released on the Coast Guard’s Instagram, the man can be seen engraving the letters 'SOS' into the scorched ground. He was transported to a hospital in nearby Camarillo and reportedly did not suffer serious injuries. Spokesperson Beecher stated, "It is true that he fired the flares to attract attention," adding, "Ultimately, the rescue was successful and we were able to bring him out safely."

However, there are growing suspicions that the flare may have caused the wildfire on the southern coast of Santa Rosa Island. It is believed that the sparks from the flare, fired immediately after the distress incident to request rescue, ignited the dry vegetation and started the fire. Regarding this, Beecher said that the exact cause of the wildfire has not yet been determined, and the National Park Service is conducting an investigation. The National Park Service has completely restricted access to Santa Rosa Island while firefighters continue to battle the blaze.

Meanwhile, Channel Islands National Park is home to a wide variety of species and is often called the "Galapagos of California." In particular, six species of native plants found only on Santa Rosa Island inhabit the area, and authorities are reportedly focusing on protecting the rare Torrey pine stands.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.