Santa Rosa Island fire nearly 60 percent contained Play

The big fire on Santa Rosa Island is now almost 60 percent contained. It blanketed Malibu with smoke starting last weekend, even though it is 70 miles upwind of this area.

135 firefighters have been ferried over to the island, which sits 26 miles off Santa Barbara.

Park Service spokeswoman Ana Cholo described the challenge:

"It is difficult, yes, because it's the three-hour boat ride. You're lugging heavy equipment out there. And it's definitely a logistical challenge and that's one of the biggest challenges of this fire. We have hand crews and we actually have had some fire engines go out there. The great news is that we have super scoopers out there and fire retardant, so we also have air attack, which is great."

The island fire has burned the southeast 18,000 acres of the 59,000-acre island. It has apparently not burned as far north as the old ranch houses — from the 150-year-old ranching operations that now serve as park headquarters. The fire is 59 percent contained.

Ranger Ana Cholo says the fire affects birds and plants that exist nowhere else, like Torrey Pine trees and island foxes.

"Santa Rosa Island is home to several species, including subspecies, found nowhere else in the world. And one of the most notable is the Santa Rosa Island Fox, which is a genetically-distinct species of fox that evolved separately from the other fox species on the other channel islands. Also, Santa Rosa Island is home to the rarer Torrey Pines, which is one of the rare Torrey Pine bald eagle nesting areas, spotted skunk habitat, and the western snowy plover."

Ana Cholo, spokeswoman for the Channel Islands National Monument, was interviewed by KCLU radio, the NPR station at 88.3 in Ventura County.