NORTH FORK — A day trip to the mountains ended in a serious motorcycle wreck for two Clovis residents. Fortunately an off-duty firefighter/ paramedic was one of the first passers-by at scene. At 1:44 p.m., a call came in to 911 that a motorcycle had crashed on Road 200 on the south side of the bridge at Fine Gold Creek. ...

MARIPOSA — Over 100 firefighters from the Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit participated in live fire training at Eastman Lake this week, ahead of what is sure to be a challenging fire season. The training was held May 22 and 24 as one component of Cal Fire’s summer preparedness drill, and included 25 engines, 4 crews and 2 dozers, along with ...

MADERA COUNTY — Road 600 just south of Road 603 near Hensley Lake, is closed in both directions as firefighters battle a vegetation fire caused by a motor vehicle accident. At 6:55 p.m. a full wildland dispatch was called out after reports of a vehicle hitting the embankment and starting a fire. First engine at scene reported a Chevy pickup ...

BASS LAKE — The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has been gearing up and training to ensure everyone has a safe summer season on Bass Lake. Sergeant Larry Rich and Deputy Amy Roussell were out on the lake today in the Sheriff’s new 2017 patrol boat, built by Rogue Jet Boatworks. The 300 hp, 23′ boat has a center console — ...

CALIFORNIA — If you operate a motorized vessel on California waterways, take note: beginning Jan. 1, 2018, boaters 20 years of age and younger are the first group that must carry a California Boater Card when on state waterways. The requirement that California boat operators obtain a Boater Card will be phased in over the next seven years. Lifetime cards ...

YOSEMITE — With record snow pack this year, rivers are running very fast and cold, posing a potential danger to park visitors. Authorities are asking people to stay a safe distance from rivers during spring runoff, which is expected to last several more weeks. On Thursday, May 25, Yosemite National Park Rangers conducted a Swiftwater Rescue Training and Water Safety Day on the ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Good news for anyone who has experienced delays recently on Highway 41 associated with the massive tree removal project that began last fall. After taking out 15,179 trees at a cost of $5.7 million, Caltrans spokesman Cory Burkarth says the hazard tree removal along the Highway 41 corridor north of Oakhurst will cease for the season. The last day for tree ...

SACRAMENTO – Governor Jerry Brown’s $180 billion May revision to the 2017-2018 budget proposes cutting millions of dollars from funding to fight fires and support local tree mortality projects in California’s forestlands. The Governor’s updated budget, released on Thursday, May 11, cuts funding for the Office of Emergency Services from $52.7 million to $8.5 million, with only $2 million allocated ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park anticipates an extremely busy Memorial Day weekend, with high visitation from Friday, May 26, until Monday, May 29. Visitors are encouraged to arrive at Yosemite before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Once in the park, visitors are urged to park their vehicles at the Yosemite Village, Yosemite Falls or Half Dome Village parking areas ...

OAKHURST — A two-vehicle accident slowed the commute on Highway 41 just south of Oakhurst this morning. At about 7:10 a.m. a 19-year-old male from Fresno in a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta was headed to work at Emadco. He was traveling northbound approaching Road 425B at the top of Deadwood at a stated speed of 55 – 60 miles per hour, ...