EASTERN MADERA COUNTY – The Aspen Fire has now burned 4,789 acres and is 5% contained as of 7 p.m. on Friday, July 26. The lightning-caused fire started on Tuesday, July 23, and is burning in very steep, difficult terrain, moving generally north and east, with the most activity on the northern part of the fire.

YOSEMITE – The various alternatives for the Merced River Plan and the impacts it would have on recreation and services in Yosemite National Park have been the subject of a lot of heated debate over the past year. The Park was under a court-approved settlement agreement deadline to publish a Record of Decision (ROD) for a new Merced River Wild ...

EASTERN MADERA COUNTY – The Aspen Fire, which was discovered on Tuesday, July 23, has now reached 4,500 acres with 0% containment. The fire is burning on the Sierra National Forest High Sierra Ranger District on the east side of the San Joaquin River near Mammoth Pool Reservoir in steep, rugged, inaccessible terrain, which has hampered suppression efforts for both ...

SACRAMENTO – Attorneys for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA) had their day in Superior Court on Friday, July 19, to argue against the State’s response to their lawsuit fighting the so-called Rural Fire Fee. HJTA has always held that the fee is actually an illegal tax, requiring a two-thirds vote of the Legislature, and filed suit to have it ...

NORTH FORK – Over a year from the time the Madera County Board of Supervisors approved the conditional use permit for a Verizon Cell Tower in North Fork, residents can finally phone home. Verizon customers all over North Fork are reveling in the fact that can now make a cell phone call from La Cabana or Slim’s Koffee Shak in ...

HUNTINGTON LAKE – The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is currently involved in the search for four women near Lake Italy, approximately 20 miles northeast of Huntington Lake. On Tuesday, July 23, shortly after 9 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 cell phone call from one of the hikers who advised that she, her mother, and two other females lost ...

MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson is warning consumers about the dangers of buying and selling items via the internet. A local resident posted a vehicle for sale on Craigslist – asking price $600.00

EASTERN MADERA COUNTY – The Aspen fire, located seven miles northwest of Big Creek, Ca, continues to be very active and has now consumed over 2,500 acres. According to reports, the fire moved to the north during the night, and is about 1,000 feet above the shoreline on the east side of Mammoth Pool Reservoir Campgrounds from Fish Creek and ...

EASTERN MADERA COUNTY – Heavy smoke continues to blanket the area this morning as the Aspen Fire on the east side of the San Joaquin River continues to burn. The Aspen Fire was discovered just after midnight on Tuesday, July 23, burning below Stump Springs Road north of Aspen Springs in the Sierra National Forest – High Sierra Ranger District. ...

YOSEMITE VALLEY – Many of us have marveled at climbers making their way up the face of El Capitan. We are in awe of their skill and courage. These brave athletes inspire many unanswered questions: How long does it take to climb El Capitan? Do climbers eat and sleep along the way? Who were the first people to climb this ...