Sequoia forest blaze threatens otter kin

KERNVILLE, Calif., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- A fire in California's Sequoia National Forest, which has been raging for more than a month, is threatening the habitat and the existence of local wildlife. Although most forests and their inhabitants can benefit from occasional doses of fire, this blaze's ferocity and timing has wildlife biologists worried about the Pacific fisher weasel -- a furry, carnivorous relative of the mink and otter -- as well as the Pacific spotted owl.