SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Those headed to the mountains for the holiday weekend should be aware that fire restrictions are now in place for the Sierra National Forest. Higher temperatures, drier fuel conditions, a large number of dead and dying trees, and an increase in fire activity within Region 5 has led to this decision. Fire Restrictions Prohibit: • Open ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park anticipates a very busy Fourth of July weekend and visitors are urged to arrive at the park very early to avoid potential traffic congestion and difficulties with parking. Visitors should plan on arriving at the park entrances by 9 a.m. each day. Parking in Yosemite Valley is expected to be especially challenging and visitors should ...

YOSEMITE — Bears emerged from their dens in March this year and have been active throughout the park ever since. Recent observations have included bears grazing in roadside meadows and along hiking trails. Bear incidents this week have centered on activities by backpackers. Two incidents occurred in the Yosemite Valley Backpacker’s Campground when bears got into food left unattended in ...

CALIFORNIA – With the 4th of July weekend fast approaching, everyone needs to be aware that fireworks are banned in all State Responsibility Areas (SRA) throughout California. SRA is the area of the state where the State of California (Cal Fire) is financially responsible for the prevention and suppression of wildfires. SRA does not include lands within city boundaries or ...

MARIPOSA — An at-risk man missing from Mariposa since Saturday has been located and taken to the hospital, according to the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office. Just after 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, the Sheriff’s Office received a call from the family of Mariposa resident Ronald Hughes, 74, stating that Mr. Hughes was missing. The family reported that he was ...

COARSEGOLD — A Coarsegold man is behind bars, accused of sexually abusing a minor. Earlier this morning sheriff’s detectives arrested Travis Wright, 45. This arrest was the culmination of several months of investigation into crimes which occurred years earlier and were just recently reported, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. Wright is employed by the California Department of Corrections ...

 O’NEALS — Crews responded to a vegetation fire today near the Blackhawk Lodge that threatened at least one structure and snarled traffic on a stretch of Highway 41 just north of Road 200. Firefighters were called out at 12:50 p.m. to the fire which was burning in grass and oak brush just adjacent to the southbound lane. The first engine ...

MARIPOSA — The Mariposa County Sheriff’s office has issued an alert requesting that people be on the lookout for a man missing from the area since Saturday. Click on image to enlarge. Ronald Hughes, 74, is a white male with shoulder-length gray hair, brown eyes, and a goatee. He stands about 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs approximately 175 ...

CALIFORNIA — Over 5,200 firefighters are battling 9 large wildfires in California. Yesterday’s high temperatures combined with the low humidity led to an increase in wildfire conditions. Several large wildfires broke out burning hundreds of acres. Temperatures in many parts of California are expected to be 5-15 degrees above normal, and humidity will likely drop into the single digits in ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — Anyone wishing to participate in the planning process is reminded that we are well into the 90-day public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Draft Forest Plans for the Inyo, Sequoia and Sierra National Forests. During this time, the USFS is holding public meetings, tribal forums and a webinar to engage with ...