Current Conditions:

A team of Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists will spend approximately one week on the island evaluating post-fire conditions and identifying immediate risks to public safety, infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources. Hazardous conditions can persist for weeks or months after a wildfire and may exist both inside and outside the burned area. Potential hazards include unstable soils, weakened trees, damaged infrastructure, falling rocks, erosion, and altered trail conditions.

The BAER team will include engineers, ecologists, hydrologists, archaeologists, and wildland fire specialists. Team members will assess soil stability, watershed conditions, infrastructure damage, threats to natural and cultural resources, and other post-fire impacts. Their findings will help guide emergency stabilization efforts and inform decisions about public access.

Closures:

Santa Rosa Island is closed to all day and overnight use through at least June 30, 2026, due to the wildfire. All Water Canyon Campground reservations have been cancelled through this date and visitors have been notified by email. Campground reservation holders with bookings through August 14, 2026, have also been informed that the wildfire may affect their stay. If additional cancellations are needed, they will receive follow-up emails.

Overnight and backcountry camping within the southeastern quadrant of Santa Rosa Island will remain closed for the remainder of the 2026 recreation season.