Bees, Wasps Bug Crews Fighting Fire

Bees and wasps pestered crews battling a 400-acre wildfire in Southern California on Saturday as firefighters gained ground on a separate 1,100-acre blaze.

The 400-acre fire forced the evacuation of about 200 people from 90 recreational cabins in Angeles National Forest, said Forest Service spokeswoman Patti Krueger.

Large numbers of bees and wasps posed problems for some of the 100 firefighters who fought the blaze, which began Friday when a limb fell and hit a power line as workers cleared trees.

One firefighter was treated at a hospital for anaphylactic shock from a bee sting, said Forest Service spokeswoman Julie Molzahn.

Meanwhile, nearly 900 firefighters, along with 10 air tankers and 10 helicopters, were battling the 1,100-acre blaze in Piru Gorge northwest of Los Angeles.

That fire, sparked by lightning Thursday, was 10 percent contained after making several major runs during the night.

One firefighter suffered a broken arm and another received an unspecified minor injury, Krueger said.

No structures were threatened.