A 67-year-old sailor trapped on Santa Rosa Island in California’s Channel Islands National Park accidentally starts a wildfire after firing a rescue flare, multiple reports say. The man is described as being stranded on the island and using the flare in an attempt to attract help. Instead of aiding rescue, the flare ignites vegetation, and the resulting fire burns a large portion of the island, described in reporting as about a quarter of Santa Rosa Island. Officials and outlets characterize the incident as an accident rather than intentional arson. The reports do not indicate that the sailor intends to start a fire, but they describe the flare as the ignition source. Details on the exact timeline, the extent of any injuries, and the specific emergency response actions are not provided in the included text. The case highlights risks associated with flare use in dry or vegetation-filled environments, particularly in protected areas like Channel Islands National Park.