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Fire breaks out on Southern California island

10 May 2007 23:15:07 GMT
Source: Reuters

LOS ANGELES, May 10 (Reuters) - As Los Angeles firefighters gained control of a brush fire that blackened a landmark park on Thursday, a new blaze broke out on a popular tourist island off the Southern California coast.

The fire on Catalina Island, about 22 miles (35 km) off the coast of Los Angeles, was first spotted at midday on Thursday and quickly charred more than 100 acres (40 hectares) as crews raced equipment across the water to fight it.

No homes were immediately threatened and no injuries were reported, but the flames were burning about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the city of Avalon, a popular spot with tourists and day trippers.

By Thursday afternoon firefighters had almost fully contained an 817-acre (330-hectare) brush fire that scarred the city's Griffith Park and forced the evacuation of a wealthy Hollywood Hills neighborhood.

The Los Angeles Zoo also evacuated visitors and most of its staff, though the animals remained behind.

Local officials and residents said it was the worst fire in the Hollywood Hills in 50 years and feared it was a sign of things to come as Southern California suffers through its driest spring on record.

"We are facing an incredibly difficult fire season," Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued an executive order to mobilize more personnel and equipment to respond to wildfires.

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Last updated:Thu May 10 23:17:49 2007