Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Supported by

Big Bear Wildfire Rages On

A wildfire has already burned more than 17,000 acres near Big Bear, California, about four hours southwest of Las Vegas
John McColgan, U.S. Department of Agriculture

A wildfire has already burned more than 17,000 acres near Big Bear, California, about four hours southwest of Las Vegas

A massive wildfire is devastating the aspen forests near a favorite get-away for Las Vegas residents.

Just southeast of Big Bear, California – some four hours southwest of Las Vegas – firefighters are trying to stop a fire that has so far consumed more than 17,000 acres.

Judi Bowers, general manager and a writer for the Big Bear Grizzly newspaper, said the fire has drawn nearly 2,000 personnel to the small town to fight the fire.

"There were some anxious moments on the first day," Bowers said, but when everyone realized it was burning away from the town there was a sigh of relief.

Firefighters have taken over the high school as a command post, which forced last week's high school graduation to move elsewhere.

Bowers said they won't know just how much of the forest is damaged by the fire until it is completely out and cleaned up in about a month. 

"Fire isn't always a bad thing," Bowers said, "It does help to get rid of dry and dead vegetation."

There is still no word on what caused this fire, but the drought has certainly taken a toll on forests in the Southwest, making trees and undergrowth extremely dry.

 

Judi Bowers, general manager/writer, Big Bear Grizzly newspaper

Stay Connected
Joe Schoenmann joined Nevada Public Radio in 2014. He works with a talented team of producers at State of Nevada who explore the casino industry, sports, politics, public health and everything in between.