Nasa images show wildfire damage to island dubbed ‘Galapagos of California'
The satellite visuals reveal vast burn scars after blaze tore through rare ecosystems on Santa Rosa Island
www.theguardian.comflames on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park has burned tens of thousands of acres, California’s biggest blaze this year. Containment efforts are ongoing through late May, multi-agency teams fighting the flames, while two historic buildings were among structures destroyed. The island was largely closed to visitors to protect unique ecosystems. The fire originated when a mariner’s distress flare was fired, according to Coast Guard and National Park Service reports. Containment has progressed with multi-agency coordination. No civilian or firefighter fatalities or injuries have been reported so far. Environmental impacts on the island's plant and animal life continue to be a focus of suppression-repair efforts.