An avalanche hit the Mammoth Mountain ski resort today and fire officials were trying to determine the extent of injuries to skiers.
Mammoth Lakes Fire Chief Brent Harper said early reports indicated that 3 to 4 people suffered minor injuries but that searchers were still trying to determine whether anyone was trapped.
The avalanche occurred just after 2 p.m. at the Climax ski run.
Two weeks ago, three ski patrol members were killed at Mammoth Mountain when they fell into a geothermal vent that they were trying to fence off. Seven other ski patrollers were injured in the incident.
The deaths bring the total this year to eight at the popular Eastern Sierra ski resort, which broke its all-time snowfall record Tuesday. This winter season has been a deadly one for California, with at least 13 skiers dying.
A spokeswoman for the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area said there are no reports of any missing skiers and that rescue crews are checking through the avalanche zone to be sure.
By Amanda Covarrubias, Times Staff Writer
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