AHWAHNEE – The nice folks at Ahwahnee Heating and Air Conditioning have teamed up with the nice folks at The Hitching Post to offer the community a special dinner intended to help those whose homes were lost in recent fires, and to thank everyone who helped put those fires out, and to bring everyone together for a meal in the ...

OAKHURST – Friday evening at Miller’s landing was a testament to the way the community pulls together, as hundreds of people gathered to share and to support their neighbors after the disaster of the Courtney Fire. Saturday morning was when the dirty work really got underway in the burn area along Road 426, and once again, the community was there.

OAKHURST – Sheriff John Anderson, Director of the Madera County Office of Emergency Services (OES), continues to reach out to those impacted by the Courtney Fire disaster. The Sheriff’s Office will have a booth set up outside Raley’s, at 40041 Highway 49 in Oakhurst on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. Regardless of the level of damage you ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – After the devastation of the French Fire along the Scenic Byway, the main roads have since been reopened to the public. Forest Road 81(Mammoth Pool/Minarets Road) is open, however some campgrounds in the area remain closed. Fish Creek, Rock Creek, Placer and Sweetwater campgrounds are closed. All campgrounds from Little Jackass and beyond are open. For ...

OAKHURST – As of 6 p.m., Road 426 through the Courtney Fire area has now been reopened to the public. An MCAlert has been issued to area residents, and Cal Fire has released official notice that the road is now open. Residents who need more information on the recovery process can call Madera County Office of Emergency Services at 559-675-7770.

OAKHURST – It’s one of those “where were you when…” moments: where were you when the Courtney Fire started? In the midst of a dreamy nap on Sunday, Sept. 14, a phone call came alerting us to a fire that would ultimately destroy 30 homes and leave hundreds of residents displaced. The Courtney Fire tore through neighborhoods with destructive force, ...

OAKHURST – The 320-acre Courtney Fire is now 90% contained, with an expected date for total containment of Sunday, Sept. 21. Residents were allowed to return to their homes in the burn area on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Road 426 remains closed to the public, but is expected to be reopened within the next day or so. We will post ...

MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson, Director of The Madera County Office of Emergency Services (OES), is reaching out to everyone impacted by the Courtney Fire disaster. Regardless of the level of damage you may have suffered during this disaster, you are urged to fill out a damage survey, so that the OES can better assist you during recovery. The ...

OAKHURST – All evacuation orders and advisories for the Courtney Fire have been lifted. The road into Bass Lake Heights will remain restricted to residents only. In order to enter the area, you must go to the Oakhurst Substation near True Value, off Highway 49 in Oakhurst, and obtain an “Entry Pass.” These passes are for residents living in the ...

OAKHURST – Cal Fire officials were met with cheers and applause this morning at the Oakhurst Community Center as residents from the Bass Lake Heights area learned that they will be allowed to return to their homes later today. Barring any unforeseen flareups in the burn area, or dangerous issues discovered by PG&E, officials hope to allow reentry about 6 ...