COUNTY – Updates on Sky Fire in Oakhurst and Corrine Fire in North Fork: Friday, June 16, 6 a.m.: the Sky Fire burning on the Sierra National Forest is now estimated at 400 acres with 15 percent containment. All road closures and evacuations remain in place. We will update in depth soon. Friday, June 16, 7 a.m.: the Corrine Fire ...

CALIFORNIA – We often don’t realize that our vehicle exhaust system can start a wildfire, destroying homes and natural resources. Keep this in mind while enjoying the outdoors. Fire conditions in foothill and mountain areas are extreme. Drought, warm temperatures and high winds have turned grassy fields into a tinder box. Please remember to use extreme caution when enjoying the ...

AUBERRY – Firefighters responded in the early morning hours to reports of a fire burning on Jose Basin Road near Auberry Mission Road. At 2:15 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, crews were dispatched to the Basin Fire, burning in dense vegetation and very steep terrain on Jose Basin Road near Auberry Mission Road, on the east side of the San ...

NORTH FORK – District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler will host the next in his series of Town Hall meetings on Thursday, June 18, at the North Fork Rancheria Community Center from 6 to 8 p.m. The meeting will include presentations from Cal Fire Battalion Chief Chris Christopherson, Madera County Firewise Coordinator Roger Maybee, and Emadco Recycling Operations Manager Ashley Smith. ...

MARIPOSA – Due to the extreme menace of destruction by fire to life, improved property, or natural resources caused by critical fire weather, and the acute dryness of vegetation along with fire suppression forces being heavily committed to control fires, Cal Fire Unit Chief Nancy Koerperich has suspended the privileges of burning by permit and any other uses of open ...

COUNTY – With summer temperatures kicking in, the County of Madera has established the following locations as Cooling Centers during times of extreme summer heat. The Centers will be open the days and times of the week as indicated on the list below. Other Centers may be opened on an “as need” basis and will be announced through the Madera ...

MADERA COUNTY – While Problem Oriented Policing (POP) has been around for quite some time, the program is new to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. In mid-May, Sgt. Larry Rich, mountain area deputy and life-long resident, was tasked with getting the new program off the ground and starting out as a team of one. “The intention is to be an ...

MADERA COUNTY – Attention all veterans, National Guard, and Reservists returning from active duty. There will be Veterans Job and Resource Fair on Friday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at VFW Post 1981 in Madera. The VFW Post is located at 2026 North Granada. The Job Fair is open to all job seekers – veterans and non-veterans, ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – “He’s a bit quiet, sleeping very well on the bed and getting into the routine of being home,” says Anica Martinez, speaking of her returned pup, Captain. “So far he has been able to hold down food so we’re focusing on fattening him up. I think he’s a bit upset with Sasha as she’s ready to play ...

MADERA COUNTY – One student from Minarets High School and another from Madera High School have been accepted to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. On June 9, during the meeting of the Madera County Board of Supervisors, the board will recognize Grant Hall and Christopher Reiping for this outstanding achievement. Representatives from both state and federal ...