Times to Substitute Doonesbury

Because of the tragic fire in Malibu, the editors of The Times have decided not to run six Doonesbury cartoons referring to a fire there.

Drawn Oct. 28 and 29, the strips were conceived before the devastating blaze occurred.

Associate Editor Narda Zacchino said other cartoons were substituted “because the humor in the strip does not seem appropriate at this time.” A previous Doonesbury series will run in their place.

A spokesman for Universal Press Syndicate, which distributes Doonesbury, said artist Garry Trudeau understands the decision.