Officials in Nevada fear large numbers of people could be coming to the southern part of the state next month. Local officials this week approved two events for small desert towns near the United States military base known as Area 51. Area 51 is known in popular culture as a research center for government studies of creatures from outer space and alien spaceships. The officials have prepared an emergency declaration. They also plan to work with neighboring counties and the state government for events tied to an internet-based campaign called “Storm Area 51.” Area 51 was once a top-secret U.S. Air Force test area. The base is part of Nevada’s Lincoln County, which is home to about 5,200 people. Lincoln County Commission Chairman Varlin Higbee told The Las Vegas Review-Journal that he and other officials are worried about the possibility of large crowds.