Angel Island Fire

A fire on San Francisco's largest island, Angel Island, started on Sunday, October 12, 2008. The blaze was reported at approximately 9:00 p.m. By 11:15 p.m. the flames had already consumed 100 acres.¹

On Tuesday, October 14, 2008, the flames were 75% contained. The wildfire burned 380 acres. Authorities expect full containment by Tuesday evening. None of the island's historical buildings were damaged.²

Fast Facts

Largest island in San Francisco Bay

Fire began at approximately 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2008³

250 acres of vegetation consumed³

Fire crews had to be ferried to the blaze³

Authorities said it would be difficult to reach the actual fire as it heads towards the summit of Mount Livermore's 788-foot peak³

There are historical buildings on the island, none were destroyed in the fire²³

Early History

Angel Island was first inhabited by the Coast Miwok Indians, who settled throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Sir Francis Drake was the first European to reach the island and make contact with the Miwoks in 1579]. In August 1775, Lt. Juan Manuel de Ayala of Spain anchored his ship in one of the island's coves, present-day Ayala Cove. Ayala's crew was the first to map the bay. He named the island Isla de Los Angeles, which is Island of Angels in Spanish.

Immigration History

An immigration station was opened on the island in 1910. It became known as the “Ellis Island of the West,” or “The Guardian of the Western Gate” by immigration employees. Its primary purpose was to control Chinese immigrants, who weren’t welcome at the time ⁴ as evidenced by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Due to the island’s isolation, the station became a detention center. About 175,000 Chinese came to Angel Island. The average length of stay was two to three weeks, though many stayed a few months. The longest length of stay was two years ⁵. The station closed in 1940.

Living conditions were horrible. Immigrants were under strict surveillance, often locked in dorms with little time outside, the food was meager and the barracks a fire hazard ⁶. Suicide was common. The station is best known for the poems written or carved by immigrants into the barracks. Most of these poems can still be seen today.