NORTH FORK — Several fires in the last few years, including the Courtney Fire (2014), Railroad Fire (2017), and Mission Fire (2017), posed significant risks to public health and safety and destroyed homes and infrastructure. In many cases, defensible space and thinned areas made the difference in preventing further high severity fire and economic loss. The Madera Strategic Wildfire Mitigation ...

MARIPOSA — Crews are currently at scene of a vegetation fire in the Bootjack area of Mariposa. Just after 12:30 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to the scene of the fire in the 5100 block of Oak Grove Road. The first unit at scene reported the fire at about 5 acres, burning in grass and oak woodland with a slow-to-moderate rate ...

MARIPOSA — PG&E will host the first in a planned series of public meetings to let area residents know more about the utility’s new ‘Public Safety Power Shutoff’ plan, which allows PG&E to shut off electric distribution and transmission power lines that pass through high fire-threat areas during periods of high winds, extreme low humidity or other potentially dangerous conditions. ...

O’NEALS — Crews were called out at 1:30 p.m. today for reports of a vegetation fire on Sierra Oaks Lane off Road 211 in the O’Neals area. The first unit at scene reported the fire at two-to-three acres, burning in light, flashy fuel with roads on two sides. The incident commander reported that crews would be able to handle the ...

COARSEGOLD — With rain and snow clearly no deterrent when it comes to house fires, crews were called to the scene of a home burning on S. Lilley Way in Yosemite Lakes Park at about 2:30 p.m. today. Sandra and Ron McCart were inside their home when the fire started. Fortunately, the occupants and their dog Pecan Cowboy were able ...

YOSEMITE – Firefighters continue their efforts to contain the last remaining active fire, burning near the entrance to Yosemite Valley between Highways 41 and 140. The Ferguson Fire is now estimated at 96,457 acres and is 86 percent contained The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and Wawona reopen today at 9 a.m. (see details below). Yosemite Valley is scheduled to ...

NORTH FORK — Roads 274 and 225 in North Fork will reopen at 9 p.m. after a 3-hour closure to allow access to equipment and firefighters battling the School Fire. All mandatory evacuations have been lifted, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Road 230 in to the Rec Center will also reopen, but this is still an active fire, and heavy ...

COARSEGOLD – Highway 41 between Coarsegold and Oakhurst has now been reopened in both directions. The roadway was closed just before 4 p.m. this afternoon due to a vegetation fire and the subsequent rollover of a dozer on the fireline. When the road opens, Caltrans will begin by pacing traffic through the area, and it will be open with no ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — Volunteers are now being recruited for the season to serve as fire lookouts on Miami Mountain. Miami Mountain is a lookout tower located northwest of Nippinawasee and is staffed throughout the fire season by Forest Service Volunteers. The tower is a great asset to our mountain community because it is situated in a prime location and ...

NORTH FORK — Just after 2:30 p.m. today a report came in of a vegetation fire on Mammoth Pool Road about a mile east of the Indian Creek Mobile Home Park. The fire started on the north side of the roadway in tall grass and vegetation and, even though it isn’t generating a lot of heat, the very steep slope ...