The search crew in the Big Bear Lake area, which had included more than 100 law enforcement officers, is down to "approximately 50," according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials. The officers, along with two helicopters, are searching for Christopher Dorner, who is suspected of killing a couple and shooting three officers out of revenge.

"The lower number indicates they've covered a lot of the forest area already," said spokeswoman Cynthia Bachman, noting that better weather than Friday's or Thursday's allowed quicker ground searching and the use of helicopters.

While many people in the area now doubt whether Dorner is still in the area, Bachman reiterated that the search would continue until Dorner was found or convincing evidence showed he was somewhere else.

"There aren't any big shifts to another area that I'm aware of," she said.

The officers are searching the forest area and doing additional door-to-door checks, aided by armored personnel carriers and snow vehicles, Bachman said.

Even with those vehicles, thigh-deep snow in places and heavy equipment carried by searchers made it even more difficult to search past nightfall, Bachman said. The search was expected to continue until roughly sunset - 5:25 p.m. - and continue the next day if more ground remained to be covered.