On Sunday evening, October 12, 2008, a fire started around 8:30 pm on Angel Island. Fire response started quickly, but the fire eventually spread to over 300 acres of the park’s 740 acres and seriously threatened historic buildings at Camp Reynolds on the west side (Civil War era buildings, of which a few have been restored) and at Fort McDowell on the east side (WWI and later buildings, many of which currently serve as park staff housing). The response by local firefighters, CalFire, and park staff saved all structures except one abandoned water tank. As of Thursday, Oct. 16, there were still fire-fighters and ‘hot spots’ on the island.

Several local papers have great stories and photos about the efforts and results of the fight.

The Marin Independent Journal

• Initial story
• Follow-up 1
• Follow-up 2
• Follow-up 3

San Francisco Chronicle

• Tuesday (1)
• Tuesday (2)
• Wednesday

Various reports we have found say that the animals on the island mostly survived. There was one report of one raccoon dying, but no deer carcasses were found as of Wednesday, so it is likely that the herd of about 60 deer made it to safety and until the rains come this winter, when the island will green up, they will probably have enough to eat in the unburned areas. As it is not nesting season, there was no evidence of bird deaths either.

By day’s end on Monday, the fire was 90% contained. However, the landscape has been dramatically altered, especially the view from the south side. Photos shown here document the challenge and the efforts to save Angel Island. Click on any photo with a colored border for a larger version.

If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, please send it to webm@angelisland.org.