Sailor’s Distress Flares May Have Sparked California Wildfire
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ByTatum Fry
3 hours agoUpdated: May 19, 2026, 11:21 am EDTPublished: May 19, 2026, 10:44 am EDT

The cause of a massive wildfire burning on one of California’s Channel Islands is under investigation, but stunning details from the U.S. Coast Guard suggest a stranded sailor’s flares may have sparked the blaze. Watch this video to see the amazing rescue of that sailor from Santa Rosa Island and get the latest about the destructive fire burning in his wake.

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