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05/14/2007: "All Clear In Avalon"

The final chapter in the Big Catalina Fire of 2007 has been written, as Avalon has been reopened for tourist traffic. The fire, which reached nearly 4800 acres in size and stretched from Long Point to Avalon, is nearly 100% contained and the remaining fire crews are mopping up hot spots.

One area of the island still has it rough, though. The 200 residents of Two Harbors have been without power since the fire took out the utility lines running from Avalon, and the only access to the town is by water. Nearly 4 miles of lines - more than 120 individual poles - were destroyed and must be replaced. Power is not expected to return until next week; in the mean time, the hamlet is surviving on donated generators.

Reports from Avalon indicate no residual impact from the fire, other than the occasional sooty firefighter ambling down Crescent Avenue. If that's the case, the merchants came out mighty lucky. It could have been a lot worse, and with the summer tourist season just starting, they are fortunate to get away with only losing a single weekend of revenue.

Should you find yourself in Avalon in the next few days and come across any firemen at the Marlin Club, be sure to buy the first round!