MARIPOSA – Extensive mop-up operations are underway at the Carstens Fire that burned 1,660 acres in the Midpines/Jerseydale area. The fire is 75% contained as of 7 p.m. Friday, June 21, and patrol of the fire lines continue.

MADERA COUNTY — Residents of North Fork were worried that there was a fire in the Cascadel Woods area on Thursday, due to all the helicopter activity. Though there was no fire, Task Force agents did spend the entire day in the Sierra National Forest, ripping out more than 20,000 marijuana plants and hauling out nearly six thousand pounds of ...

MARIPOSA – Sheriff Binnewies announces the following areas are scheduled for re-entry for those who have been evacuated due to the Carstens Fire: Beginning at 4 p.m. this afternoon, Thursday, June 20, the Carter Road and Buckingham Mountain Road areas will open to residents only.

MADERA – The yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) was identified this week in a several block area on the west side of the city of Madera. This aggressive day-biting mosquito is not native to California; however it is a common mosquito in urban areas of the southeastern United States.

MARIPOSA – The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office has released new information on the schedule for re-entry for those who have been evacuated due to the Carstens Fire. Beginning at 8 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, June 19, the Jerseydale/Mariposa Pines area and Triangle Road between Highway 140 and Darrah Road will open to residents only.

PRATHER – There will a town hall meeting tonight in Prather to discuss the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to designate some 2 million acres of the Sierra Nevada as critical habitat for the yellow-legged frog and Yosemite toad. Opponents of the move cite the possible closure of vast areas in 14 counties and 9 National Forests to such ...

NORTH FORK – When wildfire threatens, those who own large animals are faced with decisions that go beyond what they will do to protect their family and their home. Evacuating horses presents a completely unique set of problems. Equine Emergency Evacuation (Triple E) is an all volunteer organization of mountain area residents who have come together to provide emergency evacuation ...

MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson is honored to announce eight new volunteers have been added to the ranks of the more than 40-member-strong unit of Madera County’s nationally recognized Citizens On Patrol. Sheriff Anderson hosted a swearing-in ceremony in the Madera Ranchos Monday night, June 17, where graduates of Class XIX were formally recognized by both the Madera County ...

MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson announced moments ago the successful rescue of an injured kayaker who was hoisted out of the high country at an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet. Michael Tate, 33, of Sacramento, was kayaking down the San Joaquin River late Tuesday afternoon, June 18, when he reportedly went over a 10 foot waterfall, injuring himself as ...

MARIPOSA – As of Tuesday, June 18, at 6 p.m., officials are reporting that the Carstens Fire is 40% contained. The fire has burned 1,888 acres and no structures have been damaged. Over 1,000 residents were asked to evacuate the area. There are still over 1,100 firefighters, 62 fire engines, 16 dozers and 30 law enforcement officers assigned to the ...