Bear presence closes camps

Angeles National Forest officials temporarily closed Buckhorn and Chilao campgrounds 30 miles north of Los Angeles because of aggressive bears on the prowl for food in ice chests.

Forest Service officials warn campers to store food “out of sight and out of scent.” Meanwhile, they will consider more bearproof lockers and garbage cans.

The state Department of Fish and Game has killed three bears in the area since Sept. 1, says Angeles forest spokeswoman Kathy Peterson. Over Labor Day weekend, a bear at Chilao injured a camper and jumped on a family’s car.

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-- Mary Forgione