(Video courtesy of CatalinaPhotographer.com)

Here’s an update from today’s OC Register on the Catalina Wildfire:

A wildfire that has burned an estimated 4,200 acres of hillside brush on Santa Catalina Island is now about 50 percent contained, according to a report released this morning.

Full containment is expected sometime Monday, one day earlier than previously expected. Cool, moist weather assisted firefighters overnight in making progress on containing the fire.

Residents have been allowed to return but visitors are still barred from the island until further notice.

About 4,000 people were evacuated from Avalon on Thursday night and Friday morning, as officials worried about the fire possibly creeping into town. But fortunately, Avalon has mostly been spared. Only one home and six industrial buildings on the outskirts of town have so far been destroyed.

And thank goodness for all the brave firefighters who have been busy controlling this blazing inferno! Some 21 firefighters and 5 fire engines from Orange County have been assisting all the LA County firefighters in containing this blaze. Hopefully soon, all these courageous individuals will be allowed to come home once this fire is dead and gone.

As mentioned last night, the island of Catalina is burning, and reports this morning speak of “ash falling like snow.”  It sounds like this was really an impressive showing of firefighting capacity, as this fire was raging out of control yesterday:

At least 160 firefighters, aided by four water-dropping helicopters and three retardant-dropping air tankers, battled flames through most of Thursday. The helicopters flew into the night and were expected to be back in the air at dawn Friday.

Dozens of fire engines arrived through the night from as far away as Fresno, carried by giant military hovercraft from the Marine Corps’ Camp Pendleton.

Also of note in the article is that Catalina has gotten 2 inches of rain since January. TWO.  Gotta love that drought.  Enjoy photographic fiery goodness here