Aftermath of Rim Fire: animals struggling to survive

The Rim fire that scorched 250,000 acres in and around Yosemite this summer devastated habitat that is home to some of the state’s rarest animals. Wildlife biologists won’t know the full extent of the damage for some time, but the L.A. Times reports they are alarmed about what they’ve seen so for. The fire affected everything from bears to bobcats. But officials are most concerned about fragile populations of the Sierra Nevada red fox, black-backed woodpeckers the Pacific Fisher and great gray owls…As Bay Area commuters try to figure out how to get to work today, federal investigators are poring over evidence to find the cause of a weekend train crash that killed two workers. The train that struck the workers did not have a front-facing camera. But investigators say interviews, audio recordings and camera footage from the train’s cab should provide enough evidence to determine a cause. Meanwhile, a BART official says there’s no progress toward ending the strike by transit workers…Just how far behind schedule and over budget is the car pool lane construction project on the 405? Try 15 months and $100 million. Cal Trans and Metro officials say the extended delay is due to several factors; including buckling retaining walls that had to be rebuilt, the unexpected discovery utility lines in the area and a lawsuit over property near the Getty Center. The project is currently scheduled to be finished next September…Philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad have given $250,000 to L.A.’s downtown arts high school. The gift is a welcome shot in then arm for the Cortines High School ofVisual and Performing Arts, which has struggled to gain acceptance in L.A.’s art community since opening four years ago…And finally, tourists will no longer be hassled by tour bus companies trolling for business on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Starting today, sightseeing bus operators must sell tickets from kiosks or shops on private property instead of on the walkway…