Sierra National Forest Fire Management Officer Joe Reyes Retires Clovis, CA– As people move on from the Forest, they take with them an inestimable amount of knowledge and experience gained through the years spent with the agency. Joe Reyes, or Chief 1 as he is also known, began his career 35 fire seasons ago in 1980. Joe has been the ...

Clovis, CA – December 23, 2014. We arrived at the Sierra Emergency Command Center (ECC) to greet a relaxed Hippy Mike, aka Mike Walsh, in the break room fixing up a pot of coffee. He guided us back to Forest Service control room with rows and panels of computer monitors and banks of equipment which included an enhanced “911” system, ...

NORTH FORK – A pregnant woman who ran her car off the road near Redinger Lake was taken into custody after officers determined that she was under the influence. Ahbree Walker, 24, of North Fork, reportedly got her GMC Sierra pickup stuck in the mud about 200 yards from the boat launch, and needed a tow truck. However, when CHP ...

COARSEGOLD – A family in the Coarsegold area suffered a devastating beginning to the new year when their home was destroyed in an early morning fire. At 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire on Road 415 near the Fresno River. When the first engines arrived on scene, the home was 50 percent ...

O’NEALS – A single vehicle accident on Highway 41 backed up traffic for miles in both directions this afternoon and ended with an arrest for felony DUI. At about 1:20 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, a Lincoln LS, driven by an undocumented 22-year-old Hispanic male was northbound on Highway 41 just north of Road 200.

MADERA COUNTY – Multiple trees which have blown down in gusting winds across the mountain area are blocking roads and keeping CHP, County Roads and PG&E hopping this evening. As of 7 p.m., there are trees down and blocking lanes all along Road 432 (North Shore at Bass Lake) between The Pines and Falls Beach. Also causing traffic problems are ...

CLOVIS – The Sierra National Forest and Central California Consortium (CCC) are currently hosting an information booth at the Hmong International New Year at the Fresno Fairgrounds through January 1st. The CCC is an environmental education, minority outreach and recruitment program and serves as a bridge between the USDA Forest Service, underserved areas, and community partners. The mission of the ...

CALIFORNIA – During last year’s New Year Maximum Enforcement Period, 14 people were killed in collisions statewide, and more than 450 people were arrested by CHP for driving under the influence. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is urging motorists to start the New Year on the right path by celebrating responsibly. If the nights events include alcohol, make the smart ...

NORTH FORK – After weeks of cat-and-mouse games with a wanted fugitive, sheriff’s deputies cornered and arrested their suspect just after 4 p.m today. Brandunn Wilson, 20, was wanted on a no-bail warrant, and has eluded capture since leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase on Nov. 21, that started in North Fork, and ended when the fleeing vehicle smashed ...

O’NEALS – An accident involving a Sierra Ambulance unit backed up traffic on Highway 41 for about an hour this afternoon as first responders waited for a tow truck large enough to handle the vehicle. The ambulance was returning from Fresno, northbound just past Road 200 near the Blackhawk Lodge, when a car several vehicles ahead reportedly made a sudden ...