MARIPOSA COUNTY – As they move into day number 10 on the Ferguson Fire, crews are making progress on containment, now estimated at 13 percent. The fire has charred 33,743 acres and destroyed one nonresidential structure, say fire officials. The number of structures still threatened is reported at 3,494. There are currently 3,066 personnel assigned to the incident including 199 ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – As temperatures continue to hover near the century mark, firefighters are powering through their ninth day on the lines of the Ferguson Fire. The fire is burning on both the Sierra and Stanislaus National Forests and grew to 32,484 acres today with 6 percent containment. The number of structures threatened by the fire is now reported at ...

Hard working, protector, giving, loving, sensitive, kind and quiet are a few words that describe Braden Varney. Son, brother, husband, father and friend explain the lives he’s touched. Braden was born to Gordie and Lynn Varney on May 12, 1982. At the young age of four, Braden operated his first snow plow that Gordie made him out of a riding ...

Written by Naomi Flam – MARIPOSA – Even firefighters need help with their pets! Tom from Yucaipa, Calif., is helping at the Ferguson Fire. His dog Boss is being taken care of during the day at Mariposa SPCA while he’s working at the fire. At night, Tom will have his pup with him. Thank you Tom for your hard work ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Ferguson Fire was active on most every front Saturday as it grew to 30,493 acres. It is just 6 percent contained. The number of personnel assigned to the incident has increased to 2,903, including 204 engines, 72 crews, 42 dozers, 38 water tenders, 17 helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft as conditions allow. Most of the new line ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Ferguson Fire grew more than 1,900 acres today after the inversion lifted, with most of the activity on the north flank of the fire. It is now estimated at at 29,045 acres with 6 percent containment. Most of the increased acreage was north of Highway 140 near Ned’s Gulch where the fire spotted over yesterday. Both ...

LEE VINING – **UPDATE 8:36 p.m. the highway has been reopened. Motorists are advised to watch for debris in the roadway.** Original post: As if travelers wishing to visit Yosemite National Park didn’t have enough to deal with, word has come in that Highway 120 – the Tioga Pass Road from the east entrance to five miles west of Lee ...

COARSEGOLD — A 93-year-old artist, author and explorer will hopefully soon recover a portion of her precious belongings thanks to some sharp-eyed residents of Yosemite Lakes Park. On Saturday, ABC30 reported the story of Helen Schreider, “famed explorer,” who was in the process of relocating from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to the Bay Area in Northern California. She hired a ...

MODESTO – Members of the Fire Service family will be celebrating the life of a fallen brother, Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Braden Varney, on Monday, July 23, in Modesto, Calif. There will also be a public visitation on Sunday, July 22. Braden Varney, just 36 years old, was killed on July 14 when his dozer rolled over in a steep ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Ferguson Fire continues to challenge firefighters as it pushes north across the Merced River along Highway 140 west of Yosemite National Park. The Ferguson Fire grew more than 2,500 acres throughout the day and into the night hours Friday as the inversion layer lifted and fire activity increased in many areas of the fire’s footprint. It ...