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Vendaval -> "Wildfire threatens California resort city" (5/10/2007 11:37:26 PM)
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"Wildfire threatens California resort city"
By ANDREW GLAZER, Associated Press Writer
29 minutes ago
" AVALON, Calif. - A wind-driven wildfire threatened Santa Catalina Island's main city Thursday, and residents and visitors were urged to leave the resort isle more than 20 miles off Southern California.
Flames towered at the edge of Avalon at dusk as hundreds of people lined up at its harbor to board a ferry back to the mainland. Many covered their faces with towels and bandanas as ashes fell.
"The city is threatened right now," Los Angeles County fire Capt. Ron Haralson said.
The blaze scorched more than 500 acres, including a commercial building and several storage buildings, but no homes had been destroyed as of Thursday night.
Smoke hung over Avalon's quaint crescent harbor, the landmark 1929 Catalina Casino and homes, restaurants and tiny hotels that cling to slopes rising sharply above the waterfront. The scene belied the idyllic image of the island cultivated in its 1930s and '40s heyday as a playground for movie stars and in The Four Preps' 1950s hit "26 Miles."
Part of the city was under a mandatory evacuation order, Haralson said. Visitors were directed to the historic art deco Casino that rises over one end of the harbor, while residents were sent to another part of the harbor.
The island's school and hospital voluntarily evacuated earlier, Teckenoff said.
The Catalina Express ferry service added a third evening departure from Avalon, said spokeswoman Elaine Vaughn. Each vessel can carry up to 400 people. "
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070511/ap_on_re_us/socal_fire
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