News Release

Fire at East Santa Cruz Island within Channel Islands National Park

Date: May 31, 2020
Contact: Yvonne Menard, 8056585725

Today at approximately 10:30 am a wildfire started at Scorpion Valley on Santa Cruz Island. The fire was first reported by the construction crew who are building a new pier on the island. Ignition source for the fire is yet to be determined. 

The fire quickly spread east from the valley and by 2:30 pm was estimated at nearly 60 acres. A crew of 20 Hot Shots with Los Padres National Forest Service are responding along with air support. 

Air response will include retardant drops from a C130 tanker arriving from McClellan Air Force Base in northern California, two CAL Fire 1,000-gallon air tankers out of Paso Robles Air Tanker Base, and water drops from a Santa Barbara County Bell 212 helicopter. 

“The National Park Service is working with United States Forest Service to contain the fire on Santa Cruz Island,” said Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Ethan McKinley. “Firefighting on an island can be challenging, but we have been able to quickly mobilize our initial response.”