As a fast-moving brush fire marched toward Avalon, it quickly overwhelmed Catalina Island's small firefighting force — a mix of professionals and volunteers with just four engines. But reinforcements came by sea and by air, crossing more than 20 miles of ocean.
The assault that began with 10 island firefighters had in less than a day swelled to 744, who made the trek acrossthe Catalina Channel with hoses, axes and chain saws, not to mention 46 fire engines, bulldozers and water tankers.
Avalon officials and residents on Friday credited the response — a logistical feat involving L.A. County firefighters, the Navy, L.A. County sheriff's deputies and the Coast Guard, as well as the private Catalina Express ferry system — with saving their town.
A Navy hovercraft arrives at Catalina Island carrying five fire department vehicles. The Navy was ferrying equipment from Camp Pendleton to help fight the blaze that has consumed more than 4,000 acres. See related article on Hovercraft below.(Bryan Chan / LAT)
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