NORTH FORK — In recent months some of you may have noticed a new face behind the old counter at the local Napa Auto Parts store in North Fork. For those who have, you’ll know the man behind the counter to be Patrick Tachella, and for those who don’t, feel welcome to stop by and say hi. Patrick is an ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES–The fall season in the Motherlode area of the Sierra Nevada Mountains often brings relief in the form of cooler temperatures, shorter days and an end to fire season. For Mariposa and Eastern Madera Counties this is not the case just yet. The Fork Fire and several lightning caused fires in Yosemite National Park continue to burn in and ...

My short hike had a bit of a climb up to a pretty lake with late summer wildflowers still blooming and nearby mountains reflecting in its clear water. Waterfowl were feeding, frogs were swimming and Clark’s Nutcatchers were busy harvesting! Where: Inyo National ForestDistance: 3.19 MilesDifficulty: Moderate Elevational Range: 9,730′ to 10,526′Elevation Gain: 869′Date: September 1, 2022CALTOPO: Hiking to Gardisky ...

NORTH FORK–The Fork Fire is on its third day of burning and firefighters both in the air and on the ground are gaining in the battle to control the fire. What started as 4 roadside fires on Wednesday, September 7, 202, has now burned 819 acres. The firefight is being led by CalFire’s Madera, Mariposa, and Merced Unit. The Fork ...

MADERA COUNTY–The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is reporting three separate search and rescue calls on Sunday, 9.4.2022. Beginning at 8:35am with the first call and the final call coming in at 4:00pm, conditions all day were considered extreme due to excessive heat. Rescue #1 Lost Hiker at Devils Slide At 8:35am on Sunday 9/4/22, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received ...

OAKLAND — New this summer, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers can be rewarded for saving energy when the state’s grid operator calls a Flex Alert. A Flex Alert is a call for consumers to voluntarily conserve electricity when there is a predicted shortage of energy supply, especially if the grid operator needs to dip into reserves to cover ...

NORTH FORK-The Red Cross of the Central Valley is opening an evacuation shelter at the Oakhurst Community Center (39800  Fresno Flats Road, Oakhurst, CA 93644). A map of current evacuations is available here. Small animals can go to the Oakhurst Community Center  at 39800 Fresno Flats Rd, Oakhurst, CA 93644 and large animals can go to the Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds at 44777 Rodeo Grounds Ln, ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — The Sierra National Forest High Sierra Ranger District will be closing Dinkey Creek Visitor Center on September 4th and High Sierra Visitor Center (at Kaiser Pass) on September 19th for the 2022 season. The High Sierra Ranger District Office remains open all year around. The District Office is currently open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to ...

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–A third wildland fire has been discovered in Yosemite National Park near the Aspen Valley area. This is the Aspen Fire. The fire was discovered  yesterday, 9.4.2022, by a firefighting helicopter that was working on the Red Fire, which has been burning in the park since August. None of the fires have caused any road closures or are ...

By Tery Susman, UC Master Gardener of Mariposa County. MARIPOSA — Wildfires can create immediate and potentially long-term soil erosion. However, there are a number of ways to mitigate this post-fire concern. The following has been adapted from the California Native Plant Society Fire Recovery Guide.  1. Leave the mess; keep it under cover. Much needed soil protection is provided ...