CENTRAL SIERRA – This is a firefighter. We love them. So why are you doing things that may keep them from going home to their families? For example: You’re out on your lawnmower, thinking you’re doing the right thing getting that very dry grass cut down. And then you hit a rock… It only takes one spark! Cal Fire regularly ...

MARIPOSA — Firefighters have made good progress on the Ben fire, burning in Mariposa County. It is now 50 percent contained and is holding at 630 acres. After a hard closure during the height of suppression efforts, Ben Hur Road at Buckeye, and Ben Hur Road at the entrance to the Quick Ranch were open yesterday, to residents only. There ...

MARIPOSA — The Ben fire, burning in Mariposa County, is holding at 630 acres and is 40 percent contained. There are currently 40 engines, 18 crews, 5 dozers and 9 water tenders assigned to the incident. Ben Hur and Buckeye, and Ben Hur at the entrance to the Quick Ranch are now open to residents only, according to Cal Fire. ...

MARIPOSA – After a wet winter, warming temperatures are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop. The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting Cal Fire to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties. ...

CLOVIS – This year the Sierra National Forest (NF) will not be implementing campfire restrictions over the 4th of July holiday. Although the wet winter contributed to an abundance of new grass and brush, criteria used for activation of campfire restrictions based on fire danger indices and fuel moisture conditions do not fall into the range that would restrict campfire ...

OAKHURST — A fire behind a local church caused resources to be diverted from the Ben Fire, burning not far away in Mariposa County. Punishing drops from the air helped crews on the ground get a handle on the situation in short order. Just after 1:30 p.m. today firefighters were called to respond to reports of a fire burning behind ...

OAKHURST — Just after 1:30 p.m. today crews were called to respond to reports of a fire burning behind Sierra Pines Church in the Oakhurst/Ahwahnee area, off of Highway 49 at the cross of Vista del Rio. First engine on scene reported the fire at five acres with a moderate rate of spread. Structures out in front are threatened, and ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — The Ben Fire, burning in Mariposa County, is now reported at 630 acres with 30 percent containment. There are currently 325 personnel assigned to the incident, including 30 engines, 20 crews, 9 dozers, 7 water tenders, 2 air tankers and 3 helicopters. Fire suppression resources both on the the ground and in the air continue to construct ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — Cal Fire has made a correction to the estimated acreage of the Ben Fire, burning near Ben Hur Road and Buckeye in Mariposa County. The fire is now reported at about 400 acres with 10 percent containment. There are currently 33 engines, 6 crews, 4 dozers, 4 water tenders, 3 air tanker and 3 helicopters assigned to ...

YOSEMITE — To ensure the best experience during this holiday weekend in Yosemite, park officials encourage visitors to plan ahead. Yosemite National Park anticipates a very busy 4th of July weekend, with very high visitation, especially from Thursday, June 29, until Wednesday, July 5. Visitors are encouraged to arrive at Yosemite before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Once in ...