use cool change to raise defenses
Big Bear Lake,California - Hundreds of firefighters battling California's bush fires have used a break in the weather to bulldoze buffer zones around mountains.
"We have a sleeping giant out there," said Forest Service Official Sue Exline.
Fog, temperatures and lighter winds since late last week have helped fire fighters make progress against fires which have killed 20 people,destroyed more than 2,800 homes and burned almost 300,000 hectares across Southern California over the past week.
The only major community still threatened is Big Bear Lake,a resort town in the San Bernardino Mountains northeast of Los Angeles.
A massive fire front moved to within 16 km. of the town and forced out about 15,000 people earlier in the week.
"The fire is not making the big runs we had seen," Ms. Exline said.
Up to 15 cm. of snow was expected to have accumulated in the mountains by last night,but forecasts said the heat
and dry desert winds which whipped the frames into infernos could return in the next few days.