AHWAHNEE – Another successful day on the fireline brings the containment of the Oak Fire to 50 percent. The estimated size is still holding at 390 acres. The fire started on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 3:44 p.m. off Lonesome Oak Road north of Road 620. At 2 p.m. today, evacuation orders were lifted for the communities of Cedarbrook and Timberloft. ...

By Tamara Manieri — OAKHURST — Winner, winner, chicken dinner! On September 20, the Yosemite High school gym was filled with fans of the Lady Badgers volleyball team — and they had a lot to cheer for. The Yosemite Badgers Varsity team went up against the Liberty High Hawks for a fierce battle. The Hawks are the second team in ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE – The Harvest Moon will rise on the nights of Monday, Sept. 24 and Tuesday, Sept. 25, — it’s traditionally the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox of Sept. 22. The moon is precisely full at 7:52 p.m. PST on Monday, Sept. 24 and should look round and bright for both nights. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, around this time ...

BASS LAKE – It has been less than two years since the Bass Lake Courthouse returned to full-time status, hearing jury trials and providing mountain area residents the convenience of a local court. But now, the Superior Court of California, County of Madera, intends to permanently close the Bass Lake Courthouse, effective Dec. 3, forcing Eastern Madera County residents to ...

AHWAHNEE – The huge column of smoke over the Oakhurst area the past few days has been reduced to a light haze as firefighters on the Oak Fire continue to hold it at 390 acres. It is now 45 percent contained. Crews have mopped up about 60 feet inside the line on the western and northern perimeters and will be ...

AHWAHNEE – As crews head out to the lines on the Oak Fire today, their main focus will be on the eastern flank where they are still working to complete the fireline. The Oak Fire was reported at 3:44 p.m. yesterday afternoon and quickly grew to an estimated 250-300 acres. As of 10 a.m. today, the fire is estimated at ...

AHWAHNEE – Residents have been evacuated and advisories issued ahead of the Oak Fire, burning north of Road 620 (Bissett Station) northeast of Ahwahnee. As of 5:47 p.m., the fire was estimated at 150 acres with a moderate rate of spread, and by 7 p.m., the estimate had risen to 250 acres with 0 percent containment. The fire continues to ...

AHWAHNEE – Firefighters are on scene of a vegetation fire northeast of the community of Ahwahnee. At 3:45 p.m., resources from Cal Fire, Madera County Fire and the Sierra National Forest, along with air resources, were dispatched to Lonesome Oak Lane north of Bissett Station Road. CHP and Madera County Sheriff’s deputies also responded to what has been dubbed the ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — The colors of fall in the Sierra are spectacular, without comparison — perhaps especially so in the foothills. This time a year ago we had a wee bit of rain, just enough of a taste to make the mouth water. Now, until the forecast changes, we’ll have to settle for the beautifully changing light, and put those ...

AHWAHNEE – Firefighters made quick work of a vegetation fire in the 41800 block of Road 600 just west of Highway 49 today. Crews were dispatched at 12:45 p.m., and the first unit arrived at scene within five minutes. The fire was reported at about 1/2-acre, burning at a moderate rate of spread with three structures immediately threatened. A full ...