YOSEMITE –  As the summer season winds down, campgrounds throughout Yosemite are closing. Here is list of the closure dates for those park facilities: – Bridalveil Creek campground closed for the season at noon on Sept. 22. – Tuolumne Meadows campground will close for the season at noon on Sunday, Sept. 27. – Crane Flat campground will close for the season at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 13. – Wawona ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – After nearly two months of long, exhausting days working in intense heat, dense smoke and dangerous conditions, firefighters are getting the upper hand on the Rough Fire. The fire is now 143,559 acres with 73 percent containment. There are currently 1,510 personnel assigned to the incident, including 27 crews, 77 engines, 12 helicopters, 11 bulldozers and ...

MADERA COUNTY – Word is coming in that searchers have located the missing hunter, unaccounted for these past two days in the Iron Lakes area. He is reported to be walking, is not in need of medical aid, and “just wants to get back to his truck.” The man was located about 7:20 p.m. Searchers from six agencies have been ...

OAKHURST – The Oakhurst Area CHP reminds those students and parents who are entering the world of teenage driving, that they will be holding a “Start Smart” presentation at the CHP office conference room on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. Start Smart is a program designed to provide teens and their parents/guardians with an interactive safe driving awareness class ...

MADERA COUNTY – With newly-hired employees furloughed, and the resignations in recent days of all three members of the Picayune Tribal Gaming Commission, the prospects for reopening the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino any time soon are looking bleak. The Tribe is now facing not only a lack of confidence from the National Indian Gaming Commission (NGIC), but also what ...

NORTH FORK – Firefighters responded to a fire on Road 222 near Corrine Lake Road south of North Fork at about 10:40 a.m. this morning. They quickly handled that fire, and were immediately diverted to another vegetation fire on Road 200 near the bottom of Walker Grade, about 8 miles west of North Fork. A witness stated that he saw ...

MADERA COUNTY – At least six different agencies are now assisting in the search for a hunter who went missing on Sunday, Sept. 20, in the Iron Lakes area of the Sierra National Forest. A 37-year-old Madera man has not been seen nor heard from since he was reported missing, and search teams will continue their efforts throughout the night. ...

MADERA – Two mountain area juveniles have been arrested by Cal Fire Battalion Chief Bernie Quinn, and are now booked in Madera County Juvenile Detention Facility. The pair are suspected of starting the Sundance Fire near Oakhurst that closed Road 420 and prompted the evacuation of dozens of residents on the afternoon of Sept.13. The District Attorney’s Office will file a ...

COARSEGOLD – As the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino tries to reopen their doors, problems continue between the Tribal Council and the Tribal Gaming Commission, as the last commissioner resigns. Last week, two of the three commissioners tendered their letters of resignation. Chairman Norman DesRosiers resigned on Sept. 14, followed three days later by Harlan Goodson. On Sept. 18, Lael ...

O’NEALS – Just before 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20, firefighters responded to a vegetation fire on My Way near House Ranch Road just off Road 200 between O’Neals and North Fork. First engine at scene reported 3-5 acres burning in grass and woodlands, with a moderate rate of spread. Madera County Engines 8, 10, 11, 15, 17 and Water ...