COARSEGOLD — Firefighters were called out to two separate fires in the early morning hours, one near Yosemite Lakes Park and another just south of Hensley Lake. Just after 12:30 a.m., a young man from Coarsegold was southbound on Road 400 approaching Yosemite Springs Parkway. He fell asleep at the wheel, according to CHP at the scene, drove off the ...

MADERA COUNTY – Crews are on scene of a small vegetation fire burning just north of Hensley Lake. Just after 11 a.m., firefighters responded to reports of a fire along Road 400 just north of Road 603, southwest of Yosemite Lakes Park. A full wildland dispatch was called out, including eight Cal Fire and Madera County engines, two crews out ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park fire managers are planning to continue ignitions of the Mariposa Grove prescribed fire project on Saturday, Oct. 22, and Sunday, Oct. 23. An estimated 7 to 10 days of active burn down is anticipated, with the focus in the upper grove for a total of 55 acres. Fire managers have already successfully completed 75 acres ...

COARSEGOLD — Just before 2:30 p.m. today engines responded to reports of a vehicle fire on Road 400 just south of Road 415. Sandy and Barry Beeson were inside their home in the 32000 block of Road 400 when they heard a loud boom. Barry ran outside and saw flames shooting up from beyond their front gate. A woman from Coarsegold told CHP that her ...

FRESNO COUNTY — Crews continue their work on the Sacata Fire, burning north of Pine Flat Reservoir in tall grass, brush and native oaks. The fire, which was reported at 1 p.m. on Oct. 11, is now estimated at 1,959 acres with 50 percent containment. There are currently 561 personnel assigned to the incident, including 24 engines, 8 helicopters, 4 ...

MADERA COUNTY — With a Public Safety Tax proposed for a special election in March 2017, efforts to educate the public and gather feedback are well underway. Last night at a Town Hall meeting in Ahwahnee, Georgiena Vivian of VRPA Technologies, made a presentation about the proposed tax, why it is needed, and how the funds would be collected, administered ...

FRESNO COUNTY — Smoke is still visible across many surrounding communities as the Sacata Fire near Pine Flat Reservoir moves into its fourth day. The fire, which was reported at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11, has now grown to 1,700 acres with 35 percent containment. Fire officials report that good progress has been made as crews work to strengthen ...

MARIPOSA — Crews are on scene of a structure fire in Mariposa on Bullion Street between 6th and 7th streets. Just before 12:30 p.m. reports came in of a fire in a building, confirmed by the first engine at scene as smoke and flames showing from the attic. Law enforcement was called out for traffic control and PG&E has responded ...

NORTH FORK — Firefighters were called out just before 1:30 a.m. this morning for reports of a vegetation fire burning on Road 225 near Road 274. Cal Fire Engine 4290 was first at scene and reported the fire as burning in grass and brush on the northwest corner of the intersection, near the North Fork sign. Madera County Engine 11 ...

FRESNO COUNTY — The Sacata Fire, burning north of Pine Flat Reservoir in the Sierra National Forest, has now grown to 1,502 acres with just 5 percent containment. The fire was reported at about 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11, and is burning in tall, dry grass west of Road 10S69 near Deep Creek, and east of Eagle Peak. There ...