YOSEMITE — The huge plume of smoke seen from all around the mountain area yesterday was due to a major increase in fire activity on the northwest and southeast portions of the Empire Fire in Yosemite. The fire is moving towards the Glacier Point Road, spotting out ahead of itself up to ¼ of a mile. That prompted the closing ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park has added two new shuttle buses to the park’s fleet which serves over 3.7 million visitors each year. Visitors are encouraged to park their vehicles in a day-parking area, at their campground or lodging, and ride the park’s free shuttle to explore Yosemite Valley. With the addition of these two new diesel-electric hybrid buses, Yosemite ...

OAKHURST —  Just before 12:30 p.m., firefighters were called out to reports of a vegetation fire in Oakhurst. The fire was initially reported at an address across from Oakhill Cemetery, but was located on Highway 49 near Meadow Vista Drive. Madera County Fire Engine 12 was first at scene at 12:33 and reported a 50×50 spot burning in the grass, ...

YOSEMITE — As firefighters continue to make good progress on the South Fork Fire, burning east of the community of Wawona in Yosemite National Park, more crews are being released to return to their home units. The fire is now estimated at 4,430 acres with 44 percent containment. There are currently 108 personnel assigned to the incident. Crews continue to ...

COARSEGOLD — Firefighters responded to a fire in the 30500 block of Hogan’s Mountain Road this evening. Just before 7:30 p.m., a full wildland dispatch was called out to what was reported as a structure fire. At 7:40 p.m., the first engine at scene reported one outbuilding fully involved, with about 1/4 acre of vegetation also burning. By 7:43 p.m., ...

NORTH FORK — We received a lot of questions about the helicopter circling overhead along Road 200 west of North Fork on Wednesday morning. According to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and a Problem Oriented Policing Team were dispatched to the 55000 block of Quail Hollow Court, just off Bonnie B Road, after reports came in that a subject ...

COARSEGOLD — A man has been taken to the hospital and placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI following a rollover accident on Highway 41. At approximately 4:20 p.m. CHP received reports of a crash just south of Coarsegold at Coyote Hollow Lane. According to CHP, Austin Turney, 33, was northbound on Highway 41 in a Ford Explorer Sport. He ...

NORTH FORK — Just after 3 p.m. this afternoon, crews responded to a vegetation fire reported near Manzanita Lake. A full wildland dispatch was called up, including Cal Fire, Madera County Fire, Sierra National Forest and Helicopter 520. The first engine at scene at 3:23 p.m. reported the fire at about one-quarter acre on Shinn Cabin Lane near the Siderman ...

YOSEMITE — Crews continue to make good progress on the South Fork Fire near Wawona. The fire is now estimated at 4,330 acres with 44 percent containment. There are currently 304 personnel assigned to the incident, as more crews are demobilized to return to their home units. The mandatory evacuation order for Wawona has been completely lifted for residents and ...

YOSEMITE — After the Tioga Pass Resort suffered massive damage from the record snowfall this past winter, the owners have been evaluating their situation over the summer months. After realizing they couldn’t possibly open this summer, sadly, it has become apparent that the damage is too extensive to even anticipate opening for the 2018 season. Resort staff posted this message ...