Scene at San Pedro

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At the San Pedro berth for the Catalina Express water taxi, several passengers were demanding refunds for the scheduled 5:05 p.m. trip to the island as the fire continued to burn. A towering plume of smoke from the southern end of the island was visible from dockside.

Army Col. Charles Lane, 44, and his wife, both on vacation from Atlanta, Ga., were among those who had to change their plans at the last minute after learning of the disconcerting news at the ticket counter.

‘We’re canceling because they’re evacuating the island,’ Lane said. ‘We don’t want regrets. We’re disappointed but not disuaded.’

Added Lane: ‘We’ll definitely be back.’

--Louis Sahagun