NORTH FORK — As folks plan outings into the Sierra National Forest this summer, they need to be aware of the damage done to access roads across the Forest due to this winter’s heavy rains. Many are asking specifically about the road to Whisky Falls (Forest Road 8S09) from Cascadel Woods, which is washed out about 1.6 miles up the ...

FISH CAMP — Firefighters have contained a vegetation fire burning off Summit Road just west of Highway 41 in the Fish Camp area. The Fir Fire was reported at about 6:30 a.m., and was estimated at about one acre by first resources at scene, with a slow rate of spread. Crews from the U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire, Madera County ...

The community of North Fork is deeply saddened by the loss of a dear friend, neighbor and lender of helping hands, James Patrick Quilter. Jimmy passed away on June 17, 2017, surrounded by family. He was 65 years old. Born in Santa Monica, Calif., on Nov. 19, 1951, to James and Jean Quilter, Jimmy grew up in southern California in ...

BASS LAKE — A graduation outing to Angel Falls ended in a Search & Rescue mission yesterday in the Bass Lake area. On Sunday, June 18, around 10 a.m., a group of young men from the Bay Area were hiking near Angel Falls on Willow Creek above Bass Lake as a part of a graduation trip. One of the young ...

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.— Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced today that they have begun daily aerial fire detection patrols across hundreds of miles of their service area. The patrols are intended to assist the U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire and local fire agencies with early fire detection and response this summer. PG&E says they are launching the patrols this ...

Written by Ronnie Sweeting — MARIPOSA — Now in it’s 26th year, the free summer concert series — Music on the Green — continues into the 2017 season with a weekend of great Bluegrass on Friday, June 23 with The GrassKickers, and powerful electric Blues on Saturday, June 24, with Steve Johnson & Those BobTones. We welcomed the return last ...

MADERA COUNTY — Just as some resources were being released from a vegetation fire in Yosemite Lakes Park, reports came in of another burning near Hensley Lake and a third near Road 33. Just before 2 p.m., a fire was reported just south of Hensley Lake on Road 400. The first engine at scene estimated 6-7 acres burning in light, ...

COARSEGOLD — A vegetation fire in Yosemite Lakes Park today was quickly handled by firefighters. At 12:46 p.m., crews were dispatched to report of a fire in the 43000 block of Running Deer Court. A full wildland dispatch was called up, including Cal Fire, Madera County Fire and Fresno Fire engines, dozers, hand crews from Mt. Bullion, and aircraft out ...

CENTRAL SIERRA — The forecast for extremely high temperatures has raised concern for the health and safety of Central California residents. The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) urges residents to take precautions to avoid heat illness as well as to know the signs that indicate the need to seek medical care. Persons who work outdoors should be aware ...

YOSEMITE — Park officials are reporting that Highway 140 (El Portal Road) into Yosemite National Park is now open, after a rock slide at Dog Rock closed the roadway on Monday, June 12. Work was completed earlier than expected. The scheduled time to reopen had been set at 6 a.m. on Sunday. The first two miles of the road from ...