The Torrey pine naturally occurs in only two places on Earth: coastal San Diego and Santa Rosa Island. An estimated 4,500 trees remain, but many are expected to wither away after a fire scorched Santa Rosa Island in May and June.
According to Channel Islands National Park, 60 to 80 percent of Santa Rosa Island’s Torrey pines could die as a result of the blaze. Initial reports were more optimistic, stating that most of the pine groves were still intact. It’s a blow to the Torrey pine’s long-term survival, given the species is already classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The national park has begun restoration work to save the tree’s population on the island. They collected more than 14,000 seeds from burned pinecones that will be sorted and planted. Additionally, they are engaged in work to stabilize terrain so seeds are not washed away during winter rains.
“While many mature trees cannot be saved, protecting the soil beneath them is critical to giving the forest a chance to recover,” the national park said in a statement.
It’s believed a 67-year-old stranded sailor started the fire on May 15 after he lit flares to call for help. Officials have yet to release the results of the official investigation into the cause. The flames spread for several weeks, engulfing 18,379 acres on the island — the largest fire in the national park’s history.
The sailor in question had also wrecked on Santa Cruz Island a week prior. The Coast Guard towed the stranded vessel to Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, where the man regrouped and set sail again.
