Firefighters battle California wildfires, bulldozer operator dies

By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Crews battling a deadly wildfire in rugged, drought-stricken terrain north of Los Angeles made steady progress in containing the blaze on Wednesday, after a bulldozer operator helping to fight a smaller wildfire in central California died overnight when the machine overturned, officials said. Some 3,000 firefighters battling the so-called Sand Fire in the Angeles National Forest had extended containment lines around 40 percent of the 38,350-acre (15,520 hectare) blaze by Wednesday morning, according to fire information officer Sam Wu. The blaze has destroyed 18 homes as it has torn through drought-stricken chaparral and brush, spewing out smoke that has prompted the South Coast Air Quality Management District to warn residents in parts of Los Angeles County to avoid outdoor activities.

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