Major Catalina Island Fire...

Interesting, but it occurred the day after I got a response from the Catalina Stables about my plans to take the family there while visiting.

It's "Business as Usual" on Catalina Island! Both Avalon and Two Harbors Welcome Visitors
Our community is so grateful to the hundreds of firefighters who risked their lives to save our community and our island! We are now doing everything we can to facilitate a smooth and fast transition of equipment back to the mainland, where they can be immediately available for other communities who find themselves in need. All communities in Southern California need to support each other during this period of unprecedented drought.
Catalina Express resumes boat service to Two Harbors TODAY!
Avalon Schools reopens TODAY!
Wednesday, May 16 @ 8:30 am
The fire is 100% contained! Several new photographs have been posted to the Fire Photos page.
Tuesday, May 15 @ 10:45 am
Fire Quick Facts as of 6:00 pm, Monday, May 14:
4,750 acres burned
97% contained
Total personnel & equipment currently assigned include 317 firefighters, 30 engines, and 18 camp crews
Total fire suppression costs to date: $4,400,000
14 Firefighter injuries, all minor
The Catalina Island Golf Course will reopen Wednesday, May 16.
Monday, May 14 @ 10:30 am
Here are the fire "quick facts" as of 6:00 am this morning:
4,750 acres burned
81% containment
Full containment expected at 6:00 pm Tuesday, May 15
Total personnel/equipment currently assigned include 435 firefighters, 37 engines, 18 camp crews, and 2 helicopters
Total fire suppression cost to date: $3,300,000
Demobilization continues, with personnel and equipment returning to the mainland by barge from both Avalon and Two Harbors
Electricity and gas have been restored to all areas of Avalon
The City of Avalon is open for business as usual! Employees of local businesses still on the mainland are urged to return to work as soon as possible
Sunday, May 13 @ 10:20 am
There WILL be a decision about allowing visitors back on the island later this afternoon. Probably around 1:00 pm;
The island's water supply is in great shape! There was no fire damage to Wrigley Reservoir or any of the Baker storage tanks on the West side of Avalon. Testing shows great water quality. Generators are operating the pumping equipment that brings water to both ends of the island. In fighting the fire, the usage was about equal to that used by visitors on a busy day in July or August. Water supplies are more than adequate for the island's consumption and fire suppression;
Avalon Schools will reopen WEDNESDAY, May 16. SCE is still restoring power and LBUSD needs to complete its assessment of the facility;
LA County Fire has begun its demobilization process. Equipment in the field is returning to the mainland by barge from Two Harbors. Equipment in Avalon will be going out on barges from Pebbly Beach. This process is going to take several days.
Fire Fast Facts as of 6:00 am Sunday, May 13: * 4,200 acres burned * 69% containment. Full containment expected Tuesday, May 15 at 6:00 pm * Current assets include 660 firefighters, 41 engines, 22 camp crews, and 5 helicopters * Fire suppression cost to date: $2,100,000
Saturday, May 12 @ 10:15 pm
The following was learned from a briefing by LA County Fire at 6:00 pm Saturday evening:
From the 6:00 pm briefing this evening we have learned the following:
* The fire line above Silver Canyon on the South side of the island is contained;
* The fire line above White's Landing is contained, despite having jumped the Airport road. Tomorrow's efforts will concentrate on the White's Landing canyon area;
* Tomorrow's efforts will also concentrate on a line from Frog Rock to Willow Cove; Camps at Toyon Bay and Gallagher's are OK;
* Weather forecast for tonight is a copy of last night - no wind, lots of humidity and fog. Great for the fire!!!
* Demobilization will begin Sunday, with the release of several units to return to the mainland. All equipment will be shipped back to the mainland by barge;
* GAS SERVICE: RESIDENTS NEED TO CALL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON TO HAVE THEIR GAS SERVICE RESTORED. EDISON WILL NOT ENTER HOMES UNLESS THEY ARE REQUESTED TO DO SO, AND EDISON, NOT RESIDENTS, NEEDS TO RELIGHT PILOTS. IF YOU DON'T HAVE GAS SERVICE, IT'S ONLY BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT CALLED TO REQUEST IT. GAS SERVICE WILL BE RESTORED NO LATER THAN MONDAY FOR ALL WHO REQUEST RESTORATION. CALL 1-800-367-8851;
* Verizon Cellular Service: Verizon's cell tower was severely damaged and needs to be replaced. SCE is attempting to replace the tower tonight, and normal Verizon cell service is expected Sunday;
* Two Harbors & the West End: SCE needs to install 50 power poles and 60,000 feet (12 miles) of line in order to restore power to Two Harbors & the West End. It is anticipated that this will take one week (that's amazing!!). This is a temporary fix. The final fix will take a couple of months. SCE is bringing several crews from the mainland to do this work. Housing on weekends is becoming a problem. If you have any housing you can devote for these crews, please contact Pat Jamieson at the Chamber: 310-510-7609 or pjamieson@CatalinaChamber.com. Pat will be coordinating this housing effort. We'll need housing on weekends for a couple of months.
* Visitors: We're still waiting on the official word of when visitors will be allowed on the island. We're anticipating this will be Tuesday, but this still needs to be confirmed. The main issue is congestion in getting all the fire equipment off the island. Everyone in the decision-making chain of command wants to allow visitors as soon as possible, so long as it does not interfere with firefighting and demobilization efforts. The Chamber has impressed on decision-makers that a decision one way or the other needs to be made soon, so visitors can make plans. We hope to have a decision sometime Sunday.
And finally, in preparation for the return of visitors, consider talking to your employees about sharing their experiences with our visitors. We know they will be interested. All of us should feel free to share our experiences, fears, joys and sorrows with our visitors. That's the personal side of this story - the human interest side. We should be willing to share.
We'll have another update Sunday, probably mid-day.

Saturday, May 12 @ 11:45 am
Catalina Express will continue to offer free transportation back to the island through their last scheduled sailing tonight, May 12 to anyone who evacuated Thursday. Residents returning Sunday or later will need to pay the normal boat fare.
Air quality in Avalon is very good! Prevailing winds have blown the smoke away from town and there is no health hazard.
The cruise ships that call at Avalon weekly are more than welcome to visit this coming Tuesday and Wednesday! All visitor activities will be available, except for golf cart rentals and tours into the island's Interior. Golf cart rentals are being restricted so as to not cause congestion with emergency services vehicles.
During a meeting this morning with Avalon City Fire Department Chief Steven Hoefs, we learned the following:
The fire has consumed 4,471 acres and the suppression cost to date is $1,000,000.
There are some 771 firefighters, 46 engines, 29 camp crews, 9 helicopters and 5 fixed wing aircraft fighting the fire.
Today's efforts are concentrated above White's Landing on the North side of the island, and above Silver Canyon on the South side.
Southern California Edison has restored power to all of Avalon with the exception of Avalon Schools. Avalon Schools will be closed on Monday, while a Long Beach Unified School District assessment team inspects the facility. Gas service should be fully restored by late Sunday.
Business owners who lost property in Avalon Canyon, Quail Canyon or Falls Canyon may arrange for an escorted inspection of their property by contacting Deputy Burt Lyon, LA County Sheriff's Department.
Several restaurants have reopened, including Steve's Steak House, Eric's on the Pier, Avalon Seafood, Coyote Joe's,Catalina Cantina, El Galleon, and Antonio's.
Photos of the fire and aftermath will be posted here this afternoon.
Saturday, May 12 @ 8:20 amAccording to NBC News and CNN, the fire is now 50% contained and full containment is expected sometime Monday, one day earlier than previously expected. Cool, moist weather greatly assisted firefighters overnight in making great progress on containing the fire. Visitors are still not permitted to travel to the island. Residents who evacuated last Thursday are encouraged to return home.
Friday, May 11 @ 5:15 pmAt a press conference at 4:00 pm this afternoon, the following information was released:
The fire, which began at 12:31 Thursday, May 10, has burned 4,200 acres and is approximately 35% contained. Full containment is expected by sometime Tuesday.
One residence in Avalon Canyon was destroyed, and 6 industrial buildings in Quail Canyon suffered damage, some severe.
A 50-Member management team from LA County Fire worked with Avalon Fire Department in fighting the fire. Other agencies participating include the California Department of Forestry, US Navy, US Coast Guard, and many local businesses provided support to these agencies.
Island residents who evacuated to the mainland may return to the island, and residents evacuated from the West end of town may return to their homes. Avalon Canyon and all roads leading into the Interior remain closed.
Avalon Schools is without power, and school will be closed on Monday, May 14.
Restaurants currently open include: 1. Antonio's: Open for take-out pizza tonight; Open at 8:00 am for breakfast, lunch & dinner Saturday; 2. El Galleon is open with a full menu; 3. Avalon Bake Shop is open for donuts & coffee.
About 10% of Southern California Edison's electric customers in Avalon are without power, and about 15% of SCE's gas customers have no gas. Initial estimates are that there are 50-60 downed power lines in the Avalon area. Residents returning to their homes may find they have no power or gas, and should be prepared to seek shelter with family or friends, or go to the Casino Theater. DO NOT attempt to relight pilots yourself - SCE will do it for you. DO NOT use candles for light. SCE is working 24 hours a day to restore power and will do so until it is restored to all customers.
Visitors will not be permitted to visit Catalina Island until further notice. Please continue to check this site for updates on this situation. There are various reasons for this restriction: 1. Safety is still a concern. Just 35% of the fire has been contained; 2. Approximately 30% to 40% of local residents voluntarily left the island Thursday evening. That represents a significant portion of Avalon's labor force. Local businesses are simply unable to provide a high level of service until all employees have returned. 3. The business community is very much involved in housing and feeding the 700+ firefighters on the Island. Their efforts must be directed to helping these individuals until their services are no longer needed.
The community of Two Harbors on the West End of Catalina Island is without power and telephone service due to numerous downed lines in the interior of the island.
The First Communion scheduled at St. Catherine's Catholic Church this Sunday has been cancelled.
The Chamber of Commerce Mixer scheduled for next Wednesday, May 16 has been cancelled.