WASHINGTON _ Smokey Bear is innocent after all. In a potentially high-stakes case, a federal judge has ruled the U.S. Forest Service's land management policies didn't cause a devastating 2003 California forest fire.

By Mike Lee, The San Diego Union-Tribune Feb. 1--The U.S. Forest Service is rethinking its proposal to restrict access to four well-known hiking and rock-climbing sites in San Diego County's backcountry because of intense public reaction.

Fire crews struggled Tuesday to contain a massive blaze over more than 15,000 acres of Southern California's Cleveland National Forest. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported a large air tanker made several passes over the fire, which was only 5 percent contained as of Tuesday afternoon.

By Quinn Eastman, North County Times, Escondido, Calif. Oct. 11--NORTH COUNTY -- A proposed management plan for the Cleveland National Forest would add 11,000 acres of wilderness within San Diego County and protect the San Luis Rey River along Highway 76. The U.S.

LOS ANGELES - Facing another potentially disastrous fire season, authorities in Southern California are contemplating drastic steps to keep flames at bay, including closing popular national forests to visitors. In the past week, fires have destroyed more than 48,000 acres of dry brush and trees.