MADERA COUNTY – A Search & Rescue mission turned into a recovery when the body of a California man swept over Camino Falls in the Sierra National Forest was discovered yesterday. The victim has been identified as Daniel Stephen Greenlaw, 37, of Richmond, CA.

HUNTINGTON LAKE – With the Aspen Fire now 90% contained at 22,546 acres burned, the number of personnel on the fire has been reduced to just 230, and the focus of their job has shifted from suppression to rehabilitation. While some crews continue with mop up and patrol of the fire’s perimeter, others have taken on the task of suppression ...

HUNTINGTON LAKE – The Aspen fire is now estimated at 22,090 acres, and the date for complete containment has been pushed out to Saturday, Aug. 24. The fire is 80% contained, and personnel have been reduced to 976 as crews are demobilized, and firefighters and equipment are being made available to new fires as needed.

EASTERN MADERA COUNTY – Mammoth Pool/Minarets Road (Forest Road 4S81) was reopened on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m., along with all the campgrounds throughout the area (see list below). The Aspen Fire is now 80% contained, and has consumed 21,931 acres. No structures have been lost, and there have been only three injuries.

HUNTINGTON LAKE – Crews on the Aspen Fire continued mopping up 100 to 200 feet along the perimeter today, and worked on repairing, restoring and rehabilitating the firelines within the fire’s perimeter where it was safe to do so. Suppression repair will continue tonight on the northern side of the fire, along with firing operations along the San Joaquin River.

HUNTINGTON LAKE – The Aspen Fire has now consumed 20,797 acres and is 75% contained. The cost to fight the fire to date is reported at $23.4 million. Today on the Aspen Fire, crews continued to make good progress with indirect and direct attack fire line construction.

HUNTINGTON LAKE – When I rolled into the Aspen Fire Incident Command Post, which has sprung up at the China Peak Mountain Resort, it was 6 a.m., Sunday morning. Skies were clear and blue, and the temperature was perfect, just south of 50 degrees. I had worried that arriving so early would mean a smoky inversion, but that wasn’t the ...

HUNTINGTON LAKE – The Aspen Fire has now burned 18,774 acres in the High Sierra District of the Sierra National Forest. There are a total of 2,004 personnel assigned to the fire, which is 55% contained. The date for complete containment is Aug. 10.

Two “teams” of volunteer teenagers from the Sierra Service Project have been here for the past two weeks painting our house. The Sierra Service Project is a Christian non-profit organization serving low-income residents in the area, and is supported by the Chukchansi and New Community United Methodist Church.

EASTERN MADERA COUNTY – The Aspen Fire, burning on the Sierra National Forest – High Sierra Ranger District, has now grown to 16,204 acres and is 40% contained. Additional resources continue to arrive to assist in the fire suppression efforts, and there are now a total of 1,947 personnel assigned to the incident. The Forest Service says firefighter and public ...