Antelope Valley doubles for Area 51

Thursday, Sept. 24, 1998 | 9:08 a.m.

The popular science-fiction television series shot the first five episodes of the new season in the Antelope Valley about 45 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

The valley proved to be a perfect location for "X-Files" to recreate Area 51, an isolated Air Force field in Nevada where top-secret aircraft are tested.

"Nowhere ... offers a stark beauty that depicts total isolation, which allows us to recreate such places like Area 51," said Ilt Jones, "X-Files" location manager.

The show recently moved its production from Vancouver, Canada, to the 20th Century Fox lot in Los Angeles, but was looking for open desert locations.

"For the 'X-Files' shoots, one of the best challenges was working with L.A. County fire prevention to figure out a way to save the surrounding tumbleweeds and brush during an explosion scene," said Jeff McNeil, liaison for the Antelope Valley Film Office.

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