Base camp being built for thousands of firefighters

Lake Arrowhead adjacent, San Bernardino Mountains:

A base camp for as many as 3,000 firefighters battling the Slide fire is under construction at the Snow Valley Ski Resort, about 20 miles east of Lake Arrowhead on Highway 18.

Even as workers set up sleeping quarters, shower stalls, kitchens and communication centers for new arrivals from as far away as Utah and Idaho, the Slide fire roared all but unimpeded through insect-ravaged and drought-stricken pine and oak forests, sending up clouds of smoke so thick that air tankers were unable to help in the attack.

That fire has spread across a vast swath of mountainous terrain, occasionally making unexpected runs up side canyons to Highway 18 where firefighters have fought back with hoes and shovels.

-- Louis Sahagun