Yesterday a fire threatened Los Feliz, in Los Angeles, Today a fire threatens Avalon, on Catalina Island. The city is being evacuated. The fire began five miles east of the airport, which is on top of the island. This means the fire is moving quickly downhill towards the town, which is not typical fire behavior (although the usual evening on-shore winds may mean this is typical for Catalina).
Early reports say that waterdrops from helicopters are having an effect, but the pictures do not look good, and back in l915, an arson fire destroyed half of Avalon. Given that this is May, before the traditional season even begins, this is seriously bad news for Southern California.
Kit Stolz 