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{{Short description|2007 wildfire in Southern California}}
⚫
The '''2007 Island Fire''' was a brush fire that broke out in the hills north and west of [[Avalon, California]], located on [[Santa Catalina Island, California|Catalina Island]] on May 10, 2007. The fire burned {{convert|4750|acre|km2|0}} of interior chaparral. The fire loomed large over the town of Avalon, but ultimately only one residence and six commercial structures were destroyed.
{{Infobox wildfire
|title= Island Fire
|image=2007 Avalon Fire.jpg
⚫
|caption = The Island Fire as seen from [[Avalon Harbor]].
|location= [[Avalon, California|Avalon]], [[Santa Catalina Island, California|Catalina Island]], [[California]]
|cost=
|date= {{Startdate|2007|05|10}} – {{enddate|2007|05|15}}
|acres= {{convert|4,750|acres|km2|0}}
|buildings=6
|landuse= [[Chaparral]]
|cause =Contractors cutting steel wire with a torch
|motive= accidental
|references=<ref name=large-fires>{{cite web|title=Large Fires 2007|url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/pub/cdf/images/incidentstatsevents_167.pdf|website=[[CAL FIRE]]|access-date=21 August 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200939/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/pub/cdf/images/incidentstatsevents_167.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=cause>{{cite news|last1=Thomas|first1=Pete|title=Man ordered to pay restitution for 2007 Catalina Island fire|url=http://www.petethomasoutdoors.com/2010/01/catalina-fire.html|access-date=24 August 2015|date=8 June 2010}}</ref>
}}


⚫
The '''Island Fire''' was a brush fire that broke out in the hills north and west of [[Avalon, California|Avalon]], located on [[Santa Catalina Island, California|Catalina Island]], [[California]], United States, from May 10 through May 15, 2007.<ref name=large-fires/> The fire burned {{convert|4750|acre|km2|0}} of interior chaparral. The fire loomed large over the town of Avalon, but ultimately only one residence and six commercial structures were destroyed.
==Fire Fighting Effort==

⚫
[[Image:2007 Avalon Fire.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The 2007 Avalon Fire as seen from Avalon Harbor]]
==The fire==
On [[May 10]] [[2007]], a fire broke out in the hills north and west of Avalon.<ref name=Sahagun>Sahagun, L. and S. Quinones. 2007. [http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-catalina11may11,1,682119.story?coll=la-headlines-frontpage Catalina fire lays siege to Avalon: Hundreds of residents and tourists are forced to flee the island]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]].'' 11 May.</ref> At least three structures burned including one residence, and {{convert|4750|acre|km2|1}} of the Island were burned. Avalon City Councilman Scott Nelson said: "We've lost five or six small businesses in Falls Canyon and a construction company building in Birdpark Canyon."
On May 10, 2007, a fire broke out in the hills north and west of Avalon.<ref name=npr>{{cite news|last1=Bryan|first1=Wright|title=Catalina Island Fire Forces Evacuations|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10131851|access-date=24 August 2015|agency=[[NPR]]|date=11 May 2007}}</ref> At least three structures burned including one residence, and {{convert|4750|acre|km2|1}} of the Island were burned. Avalon City Councilman Scott Nelson said: "We've lost five or six small businesses in Falls Canyon and a construction company building in Birdpark Canyon."


Nelson said about 100 firefighters were battling the blaze and that another 200 new recruits, arriving by hovercraft and Marine helicopters, were bedding down at the airport to work the day shift in the morning. Catalina Express was also running extra boats through the night to take people off the island. 700 evacuees were reportedly at the Cesar E. Chavez center in Long Beach.
Nelson said about 100 firefighters were battling the blaze and that another 200 new recruits, arriving by hovercraft and Marine helicopters, were bedding down at the airport to work the day shift in the morning. Catalina Express was also running extra boats through the night to take people off the island. 700 evacuees were reportedly at the Cesar E. Chavez center in Long Beach.


The eCatalina.com newsletter reported on June 1, 2007, about the fire, "Fortunately, the fire that captured the attention of the nation did not cause any damage to the charm of the City of Avalon, the community of Two Harbors or the activities, shopping, tours, restaurants and accommodations our visitors enjoy. {{convert|4750|acre|km2|0}} of interior chaparral burned sparing most wildlife, including the Catalina Island Fox, bald eagles and bison."<ref name="ecatalina">eCatalina.com, Vol. 6, No. 6, June 2006, http://www.ecatalina.com/newsletter_current.cfm</ref>{{Dead link|date=June 2009}}
The {{Not a typo|eCatalina.com}} newsletter reported on June 1, 2007, about the fire, "Fortunately, the fire that captured the attention of the nation did not cause any damage to the charm of the City of Avalon, the community of Two Harbors or the activities, shopping, tours, restaurants and accommodations our visitors enjoy. {{convert|4750|acre|km2|0}} of interior chaparral burned sparing most wildlife, including the Catalina Island Fox, bald eagles and bison."<ref name="ecatalina">eCatalina.com, Vol. 6, No. 6, June 2006, http://www.ecatalina.com/newsletter_current.cfm {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021124730/http://www.ecatalina.com/newsletter_current.cfm |date=October 21, 2007 }}</ref>


==Cause and Prosecution==
==Cause and prosecution==
According to [[Associated Press]], the blaze was started by contractors cutting steel wire with a torch for day-time only AM radio station, [[KBRT]].<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070513/ap_on_re_us/wildfires_52</ref>
According to the [[Associated Press]], the blaze was started by contractors cutting steel wire with a torch.<ref name=cause/> On February 4, 2009, Gary Dennis Hunt, 51, of Indiana pleaded no contest in Long Beach Superior Court to a charge of recklessly starting a brush fire in relation to the wildfire. Hunt agreed to pay at least $5 million in restitution, with the full amount to be paid left to a later hearing.<ref name=cause/>
Hunt was sentenced on August 25, 2009 to five years' probation and 90 days of jail or [[Caltrans]] service. At that time restitution of over $4 million to three entities was ordered, with restitution to Southern California Edison scheduled to be determined in a November 19, 2009 hearing.<ref name="Sentencing">{{cite news |title=Man who started fire on Catalina sentenced |url=https://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/2009/08/25/man-who-started-fire-on-catalina-sentenced/ |access-date=24 March 2024 |work=Redlands Daily Facts |date=August 25, 2009 |ref=8/2009}}</ref>

On February 4, 2009, Gary Dennis Hunt, 51, of Indiana pleaded no contest in Long Beach Superior Court to a charge of recklessly starting a brush fire in relation to the wildfire. Hunt agreed to pay at least $5 million in restitution, but the full amount he will pay would be decided at a later hearing. Sentencing was set for May 28, 2009 where he was expected to be sentenced to three years imprisonment.<ref>http://www.insidesocal.com/crime&courts/2009/02/plea-deal-reached-in-santa-cat.html</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{california wildfires by year}}


[[Category:2007 California wildfires]]
{{Uncategorized|date=September 2009}}
[[Category:Wildfires in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Santa Catalina Island (California)]]
[[Category:May 2007 events in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 09:23, 17 August 2024

Island Fire
The Island Fire as seen from Avalon Harbor.
Date(s)May 10, 2007 (2007-05-10) – May 15, 2007 (2007-05-15)
LocationAvalon, Catalina Island, California
Statistics[1][2]
Burned area4,750 acres (19 km2)
Land useChaparral
Impacts
Structures destroyed6
Ignition
CauseContractors cutting steel wire with a torch
Motiveaccidental

The Island Fire was a brush fire that broke out in the hills north and west of Avalon, located on Catalina Island, California, United States, from May 10 through May 15, 2007.[1] The fire burned 4,750 acres (19 km2) of interior chaparral. The fire loomed large over the town of Avalon, but ultimately only one residence and six commercial structures were destroyed.

The fire

[edit]

On May 10, 2007, a fire broke out in the hills north and west of Avalon.[3] At least three structures burned including one residence, and 4,750 acres (19.2 km2) of the Island were burned. Avalon City Councilman Scott Nelson said: "We've lost five or six small businesses in Falls Canyon and a construction company building in Birdpark Canyon."

Nelson said about 100 firefighters were battling the blaze and that another 200 new recruits, arriving by hovercraft and Marine helicopters, were bedding down at the airport to work the day shift in the morning. Catalina Express was also running extra boats through the night to take people off the island. 700 evacuees were reportedly at the Cesar E. Chavez center in Long Beach.

The eCatalina.com newsletter reported on June 1, 2007, about the fire, "Fortunately, the fire that captured the attention of the nation did not cause any damage to the charm of the City of Avalon, the community of Two Harbors or the activities, shopping, tours, restaurants and accommodations our visitors enjoy. 4,750 acres (19 km2) of interior chaparral burned sparing most wildlife, including the Catalina Island Fox, bald eagles and bison."[4]

Cause and prosecution

[edit]

According to the Associated Press, the blaze was started by contractors cutting steel wire with a torch.[2] On February 4, 2009, Gary Dennis Hunt, 51, of Indiana pleaded no contest in Long Beach Superior Court to a charge of recklessly starting a brush fire in relation to the wildfire. Hunt agreed to pay at least $5 million in restitution, with the full amount to be paid left to a later hearing.[2] Hunt was sentenced on August 25, 2009 to five years' probation and 90 days of jail or Caltrans service. At that time restitution of over $4 million to three entities was ordered, with restitution to Southern California Edison scheduled to be determined in a November 19, 2009 hearing.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Large Fires 2007" (PDF). CAL FIRE. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Thomas, Pete (8 June 2010). "Man ordered to pay restitution for 2007 Catalina Island fire". Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  3. ^ Bryan, Wright (11 May 2007). "Catalina Island Fire Forces Evacuations". NPR. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  4. ^ eCatalina.com, Vol. 6, No. 6, June 2006, http://www.ecatalina.com/newsletter_current.cfm Archived October 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Man who started fire on Catalina sentenced". Redlands Daily Facts. August 25, 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
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