NELDER GROVE – A half-mile hike into Nelder Grove of Giant Sequoias yesterday revealed the presence of about 20 Sierra National Forest firefighters, hard at work. The Fresno 4 Crew is on detail at this location off Sky Ranch Road, just past the turnoff to Calvin Crest, working to restore the forest to its natural state. They are also available ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – A vegetation fire in the Buckeye Road area southwest of Mariposa yesterday caused concern for residents and some short-term road closures. Initial reports came in at 1:23 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, of a fire burning just off Old Highway near Bridgeport Drive. A full wildland response was dispatched, including aircraft and dozers, and road closures were ...

OAKHURST – Smoke rising over the mountains north of Oakhurst and the sounds of sirens racing up Highway 41 got everyone’s attention just after 7 p.m. this evening. A full wildland dispatch was called up for a series of fires along Lewis Creek off Deer Run Trail Road on Tuesday, July 8. Dubbed the Allen Incident, there were reportedly nine ...

OAKHURST – Residents along John West/Jean Road West were awakened once again in the early morning hours to the sounds of fire engines rumbling by. At 12:46 a.m. on Monday, July 7, a full wildland dispatch was called up for a fire on Jean Road West at Scott Road. Neighbors who saw the flames alerted others who began spreading the ...

CLOVIS – The Sierra National Forest will be implementing forest-wide fire restrictions. Higher fuel temperature, dry fuel conditions, severe drought, and an increase in fire activity on the forest and nationwide has led to this decision. Restrictions are in place in all areas on the Sierra National Forest, including the wilderness. Campfires and barbecues are only allowed in developed campgrounds ...

NORTH FORK – Quick thinking and some cool heads probably kept a structure fire in the Cascadel Woods area from turning into a disaster. Marie and Chris Iden were loading a bar-b-que into a pickup with the help of friend Simon Elman at about 1:35 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, when Simon’s ever-present scanner crackled to life with a report ...

AHWAHNEE – A fire burning on Road 621 near Ahwahnee is causing officials to call for the closing of the road to allow safe, clear access for fire equipment to the scene. According to radio traffic, one structure has been lost. The fire then spread to the wildlands, burning about one acre before crews stopped the forward progress. Two other ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Firefighters have gained the upper hand on a fire that destroyed a home on Old Mill Road in Mariposa County today. The fire was reported just after 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 15, as a structure fire. The blaze then spread to the surrounding vegetation, and threatened several other homes in the area.

MARIPOSA COUNTY – A fire burning near the end of Old Mill Road off E Westfall and Triangle Road is proving a challenge for firefighters. The fire was reported just after 10 a.m., and at that time a mobile home was fully involved. The flames have spread to the surrounding vegetation and there are reportedly propane tanks on the property ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Haigh Fire, which started on Tuesday, June 10, off Highway 49 north of Coulterville, has now been declared 100% contained. The fire was stopped at 130 acres, and crews continue to do patrol and mop up. No structures were damaged or destroyed during the incident, and only one minor injury was reported.