A stranded mariner may have accidentally sparked a wildfire on Santa Rosa Island while attempting to send an SOS signal, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Ventura shared photos showing the shipwrecked man and the SOS signal he created on the island. Another image captured the wildfire burning nearby.
The Santa Rosa Island Fire started Friday after a 67-year-old man’s sailboat crashed into rocks along the island, according to the Coast Guard. Investigators believe the wildfire ignited when the mariner fired emergency flares to signal for help.
A Coast Guard crew rescued the man Saturday morning after he spent the night stranded on the island. He was not hurt. Since then, the wildfire has expanded to 16,938 acres.
The island is part of Channel Islands National Park.
Officials say the wildfire has destroyed three buildings so far.
Authorities have also closed Santa Rosa Island to the public until further notice.
Although investigators believe emergency flares may have ignited the wildfire, officials are still investigating the exact cause of the blaze.
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