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