The fire loomed large over the town of Avalon, but ultimately only one residence and six commercial structures were destroyed.

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.

4,750 acres (19 km2) of interior chaparral burned sparing most wildlife, including the Catalina Island Fox, bald eagles and bison.

[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.