California island hit by wildfire

Fri., May 11, 2007

Jesus Sanchez Los Angeles Times

Okefenokee blaze growing

FOLKSTON, Ga. – A second wildfire in the Okefenokee Swamp has burned more than 100,000 acres, rivaling in just five days the vast record-setting fire that has scorched southeast Georgia for more than three weeks, firefighters said Thursday.

The rapidly growing fire, fed by fast-burning swamp grasses, had been reported at just 68,650 acres Thursday morning. Though mostly well within the swamp, it was spreading mostly to the west toward the town of Fargo, a tiny city of 380 about eight miles west of the swamp.

Mark Ruggiero, commander of the joint team battling the swamp blazes, said the fire had grown larger than the 116,480-acre fire burning since April 16 that was the largest wildfire on record in Georgia.

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES – A 400-acre brush fire on Catalina Island was moving toward the city of Avalon on Thursday afternoon as authorities were evacuating some residents and preparing to ferry additional fire crews to the island using a military ship.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said the fire was reported about 12:30 p.m. about five miles east of the island’s airport. The fire was moving through light to medium brush toward the city of Avalon.

Many residents and visitors were leaving their homes and hotels and heading to beaches, the harbor and other locations as smoke grew thicker and flames became visible from the center of town.

“The fire is moving very quickly toward the town,” said Leslie Shannon, who went to St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Avalon after she was ordered out of her condominium. “Every person who can fight the fire is out there fighting it right now.”

“We came over to the church because it was a place to go,” Shannon said. “Everybody is leaving their homes.”

Pete Woolson, Avalon’s assistant city manager, said there was a precautionary evacuation on the west side of town only, including the hospital, school and warehouse area.

“What I’m hearing from the chatter on the radio, they’re getting an upper hand on it now,” Woolson said. “I’m observing the fire bombers; they’re working and it sounds like they’re making progress. I’m pretty hopeful.”

Officials said the fire was being held back from populated areas by a dirt road that runs around the perimeter of Avalon.

Bob Rhein, media relations director of the Catalina Island Conservancy, said he could see the flames and firefighting aircraft from his location aboard the Catalina Express in Avalon Harbor for a return trip to the mainland. Catalina Island is about 25 miles from Los Angeles harbor.

“It’s smoky, and there’s lots of thick ash dropping right now,” Rhein said. “I can see an entire hillside going up in flames, but it’s still quite a way from Avalon.”

The city of Avalon, which covers about two square miles, has a year-round population of about 3,500, according to the city’s Web site.

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