(Originally Written For Repellem Blog)

Since 1929 Catalina Island has been a popular hideaway for those in Hollywood seeking a secluded vacation without having to travel halfway across the globe. With hotels and resorts spread all along its beaches, the island has now become a popular tourist attraction with as many as 10,000 people coming over from the mainland every weekend.  Now it seems as if those days may be over. A wildfire that broke out Thursday night has now consumed 4,000 acres in just 48 hours. One witness to the massive fire told CNN “It was like a nightmare when we left. You couldn’t breathe, and ash was falling like snow.” 

The islanders aren’t the only ones trying to survive the deadly flames; the island is also home to the once endangered Catalina Island Fox. In fact the majority of the 76 square mile island is used by the Catalina Conservatory Group for the specific purpose of saving the fox and other animals such as bison and the bald eagle. It was only 17 years ago that the fox was saved from extinction after a deadly disease wiped out most of its population. The fox, which has lived on the island for over 4,000 years, was nearly wiped out several years ago by a severe case of distemper and its numbers plummeted from a thriving 1,300 to little over 75. Though it’s not clear exactly how the Catalina Fox ended up on the island some speculate that they floated on over on debris during severe weather.

With the fires still raging out of control, the extent of the damage to the Fox’s habitat and it’s effect on their population may not be known for years. As for when the fire will be contained, reports are saying that it is just now at 10% and that Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton have been called in to help. Governor Schwarzenegger even went as far as mentioning the animals as a major concern this afternoon when his said “Everyone is working very hard to make sure that the people are safe and the animals are safe.”