OAKHURST – “As residents of this county we’ve been gambling that nobody in our public safety ranks would lose their life in the line of duty, and we can’t keep going on like we’ve been going.” These are the sentiments expressed by firefighters and sheriff’s deputies as they gathered today at the old Blockbuster in Oakhurst before heading out to ...

NORTH FORK – Residents who have been under a mandatory evacuation order on Church Street and at the Bass Lake Mobile Home Park in North Fork are being allowed to return home. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the order, saying County agencies have been out to evaluate homes impacted by the flood. If you were not contacted, your ...

CENTRAL SIERRA — First responders have their hands full as continuing rains cause flooding, plus mud and debris slides all across the mountain area, with most of the incidents happening in Mariposa County. At this hour, there are numerous call-outs for hazards: Roadway Flooding on Highway 49 at Allred Road Roadway Flooding on Ben Hur Rd at Silver Bar Road ...

NORTH FORK — The unprecedented tree mortality in the Sierra National Forest has created a high number of hazard trees within the Bass Lake Ranger District’s campgrounds. In recognition of how important a role these campgrounds are to the community, county, valley and beyond, select campgrounds will continue to operate under a reservation system for the entire season, says the ...

OAKHURST — The folks at Cornerstone Family Counseling had their rainy evening interrupted tonight when they heard a crash and hurried outside to find a burning car in front of the building, according to CHP at the scene. Just after 9 p.m., reports came in of a car on fire in a parking lot at Road 426 and School Road ...

YOSEMITE — Visitors planning to visit Yosemite National Park on Friday, Feb. 10, are encouraged to delay arrival until after noon due to overnight storm activity. Storm systems coming through Yosemite National Park are expected to result in heavy rain. Water and debris may be washed into roadways, say park officials. The El Portal Road (Highway 140), Wawona Road (Highway ...

NORTH FORK — Senator Tom Berryhill visited Eastern Madera and Mariposa Counties today, to survey the wide-spread damage done by recent torrential rains. The heavy downpours, coupled with massive tree mortality, have cause major damage all across his district, which stretches from Amador on the north to Tulare on the south. Madera County District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler was Berryhill’s ...

FISH CAMP — Following recent storms and ahead of more wet weather on the way tonight, CHP reports that Highway 41 is compromised in the Fish Camp area just south of Yosemite National Park’s south gate. One way traffic control is currently in place due to a washout in the southbound lane. The lane is closed due to the severe erosion ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Cedar Valley area remains impacted by rains, says the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. An evacuation advisory is still in effect for Lakeside Drive south of the Fire Station, Deer Run Trail Road, Lazy Oak Drive, and Cedar Place. Residents in these areas should be prepared to evacuate immediately if conditions change. The east side of Church Street ...

CEDAR VALLEY — With all the concern generated by media reports yesterday that the earthen dam in Cedar Valley was in imminent danger of failure, we followed up with Madera County Public Works to find out what is really going on. Ahmad Alkhayyat is the Director of Public Works for Madera County. We asked Alkhayyat about media reports that the earthen ...