WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Forest Service announced recently the availability of final planning directives, which are a key set of agency guidance documents that directs land managers’ implementation of the 2012 planning rule. A product of significant public input, this new framework guides development of land management plans that ensure sustainable ecosystems and promote vibrant communities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has released the final policy for managing snowmobile and other “over-snow” vehicle use on national forests and grasslands. As directed by court order, the policy requires that roads, trails and areas where over-snow vehicle use can occur be specifically designated by local Forest Service mangers.

NORTH FORK – The Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District, Fuels and Fire Management staff are planning to ignite a prescribed burn on the Source Kinsman Fuels Project during the early spring months of February and March 2015 depending on weather conditions. This burn will only be 1 to 3 days in duration and will be in patrol and ...

COARSEGOLD – A single vehicle accident on Road 415 blocked traffic for a short time this afternoon, and sent the driver to the hospital. At about 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan 31, John Guillemin, of Raymond, was westbound on Road 415 near Bean Gulch in a 1995 Chevy Lumina, when he came into a corner too fast, according to CHP. ...

NORTH FORK – Students at North Fork School will be learning what to do in the event of a fire in their home, and also what firefighters and emergency responders do. On Thursday, Feb. 5, personnel from Cal Fire, Madera County Fire Station 11 and Sierra Ambulance, along with Simon Elman and team of ham radio operators will participate in ...

MARIPOSA – The new technology implemented by the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office proved its worth last night when it played a vital role in locating a missing, at-risk teen. During the evening of Thursday, Jan. 29, a 15-year-old autistic boy was reported missing by his parents. The boy was last seen at the Mariposa County High School where he is ...

NORTH FORK – A single vehicle accident on Road 200 slowed traffic to one lane for about an hour this evening. A 33-year-old Madera man was westbound in a 2008 Jeep at about 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan 29, when he failed to negotiate the 25 mph curve at the Fine Gold Creek bridge.

SIERRA NEVADA – The absence of precipitation in January, normally California’s wettest month, has combined with warmer-than-average temperatures to produce a dismally meager snowpack for a drought-stricken state, says the Department of Water Resources (DWR). Today’s second manual snow survey of the season found a snow water equivalent of just 2.3 inches in the scant snowpack near Echo summit approximately ...

MARIPOSA – The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about the recent outbreak of measles and advising those who visited certain locations in Fresno recently and have not had the disease or the vaccination to take steps to prevent infection. A measles case in a man in his 40’s was confirmed on Jan. 27, 2015 in nearby Fresno County. ...

NORTH FORK – Randy Wilson would like to invite the community to celebrate the life of his mother Marjorie Wilson, a long time resident of North Fork who passed away on Jan. 1, 2015. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m. at the First Assembly of God, 105 E. Olive in Porterville.