SAM Magazine--Wrightwood, Calif., October 6, 2009--Mountain High Resort in southern California shut down operations due to closed roads on Monday, October 5 as encroaching flames from the 7,824-acre fire out of Sheep Canyon neared. Operations are back in full swing today as the fire is more than 30 percent contained and threat levels for the resort are low. John McColly, marketing director for Mountain High explains, "this is the first time Wrightwood has been fully evacuated in the last 20 years, but firefighters made an excellent stand at the edge of town and beat down the flames before they could do any real damage."

Mountain High contributed to firefighting efforts by offering up snowmaking reservoirs for the air tanks to pull from. Ten airtankers in total are being used to drop water and retardant on the flames, along with an army of handcrews, fire engines, water tenders, bulldozers and helicopters. Reports show the blaze has decreased in size since yesterday with officials hoping that winds stay calm. Governor Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino Country on Sunday and Wrightwood will remain under mandatory evacuation until the flames subside.

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