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05/10/2007: "Catalina Ablaze!!!"
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You just knew this could happen ...
A brush fire broke out on Catalina Island around noon today, and it currently threatening the town of Avalon. The fire, which started near the airport, has grown to over 400 acres and is being pushed east towards town by 20-kt winds. There is currently an evacuation order for the western part of town including Catalina Canyon, and Catalina Express has cancelled service to the island, restricting their trips to ferrying residents and fire. The Navy is pitching in, dispatching an LCAC hovercraft to ferry 4 fire engines and men from Camp Pendleton over to the island.
Catalina may be surrounded by water, but it's every bit as scrubby and dry as the rest of SoCal. Every couple of years, we hear of a fire on the island (including one I started with fireworks at the Isthmus as a kid ... but that's another story ... 
), but this is the first time I've heard of one threatening Avalon in many years.
Avalon was destroyed by fire once before, back in 1915. Everything was wiped out right down to the waterline. Hopefully, we're not looking at a repeat of history.
It's gonna be a long night for the residents of Avalon ... more as we learn it ...
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UPDATE 5:31PM - There are several webcams broadcasting from Avalon ... no fire yet, but a ominious sepia tinge to everything:
Catalina Island Webcam: Crescent Ave. West
Catalina Island: Avalon - Casino Webcam
Catalina Island Beachside Cam
Catalina Island Dockside Cam
Ominous note: The last cam listed, with a view from the Catalina Express dock looking back into town - the only view looking right towards the fire - is "temporarily unavailable". Cue scary music ...
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UPDATE 5:44 - Quote from Dan Teckinoff, publisher of the Catalina Islander - everyone's favorite island fish wrap:
There’s an eerie glow over the town, we need to leave," Teckenoff said. He said his priorities are getting out the paper, then, "I need to pack my things and move out of my house." He said he doesn’t know where he will sleep tonight.
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UPDATE 6:50 - Another quote:
"I've lived here 53 years. I've never seen anything like this in my life," said Michael Mead, manager of Island Rentals, which rents golf carts to tool around the community. "It's pretty scary. This happened 100 years ago and now it's happening again. You can see the flames now coming over the ridge into town. It's horrible."
There seems to be a lot of confusion among residents as to evacuation plans and whether those plans include boats to get them off the island. Meanwhile, agressive water drops seem to be helping.)
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UPDATE 7:35 - If you live in Avalon, this is what you're seeing. I'm thinking you're in a full pucker, too ... and justifiably so!
From Avalon assistant City Manager Pete Woolson:
"There are a lot of helicopters overhead ... the fire is getting real close, it's licking at the outskirts of town. I hope they can hold it off."
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UPDATE 8:15 - The fire has crested the hill overlooking the city. The overall acreage is now over 500, and the fire is clearly visible from the mainland now that the sun has set. It's described as looking like a volcano erupting.
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UPDATE 9:40 - Several buildings have been lost in Falls and Birdpark Canyons, which are across the street from the golf course. It seems the rear canyon area of the town is most at risk now. Catalina Cruises is doing mass evacuations from Avalon to Long Beach and San Pedro.
Most knowledgeable quote so far comes from Joe Voci, 85, who has lived in Avalon for over 50 years:
"The biggest mistake the Catalina Conservancy ever made was getting rid of those goats -- the goats kept the darn brush down."
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UPDATE 10:10 - I'm afraid this picture tells you all you need to know about what our friends in Avalon are facing tonight ...
For reference, the bathrooms at the foot of the Green Pier are at right in the foreground and Luau Larry's is at left.
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UPDATE 11:15 - Sounds like it's settled into a standoff around town for now, at least until the breezes return. Inland on the island it's still raging. Red Cross has opened a pair of shelters in Long Beach for refugees; the entire town is under a voluntary evacuation notice, but only about 750 of the 3500 residents have fled to the mainland.
