Crime & Safety

Catalina Island Brush Fire Scorches 17 Acres

Firefighters battled a brush fire that broke out in Avalon near the Black Jack Campground Thursday afternoon.

Smoke form the then 15-acre brush fire on Catalina Island is visible from Dana Point.
Smoke form the then 15-acre brush fire on Catalina Island is visible from Dana Point. (Toni Nelson)

LOS ANGELES, CA — Forward progress was stopped on the 17-acre brush fire that broke out near an Avalon campground on Catalina Thursday afternoon. The fire burned for over three hours while Los Angeles County Fire Department crews attacked the blaze on the ground and from the air.

LACFD arrived at the scene near the Black Jack Campground in Avalon just after 1:30 p.m. Dubbed the Middle Fire, the blaze broke out in the area of Middle Ranch Road.

The fire quickly grew to 10, then 15 acres as firefighting aircraft were called in to assist ground teams with dousing the blaze, according to fire department officials. No structures were threatened by the flames, and no injuries or evacuations have been reported.

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The fire erupted amid steep terrain with medium fuels. Winds of up to 10 miles per hour fanned the flames.

It is not yet known what sparked the blaze.

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