What is the name and location of the wildfire?
As of June 5, 2026, the Santa Rosa Island Fire burned across the uninhabited Channel Island west of Los Angeles, California.
It was a fast-moving fire and became the largest on record for the island (1). Almost one fifth of the island burned, and two historic structures were destroyed by the fire.
Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?
The fire was active in the southeastern area of Santa Rosa Island. There were no population centers nearby. However, wind direction could have carried smoke north or east into populated areas.
Wildfire smoke can be carried across continents and oceans, meaning it was possible that smoke from the island could have impacted Santa Barbara or Los Angeles before the fire was fully contained.
What is the current containment status of the wildfire?
As of June 5, 2026, the Santa Rosa Island Fire burned 18,378 acres and was reported to be 100% contained (2)(3).
Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
The National Park Service closed Santa Rosa Island all day and overnight for almost a week due to the wildfire. All non-fire staff were evacuated from the island as a precautionary measure. Visitors with campground reservations at Water Canyon Campground were notified via email. Additionally, 11 National Park Service employees were evacuated by helicopter on Sunday, May 17.
How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?
Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
As of June 5, 2026, this fire was 100% contained.
