CLOVIS – A Forest Closure Order will be implemented in the Sierra National Forest on Tuesday, Sept. 12, on the Bass Lake Ranger District. This order is deemed necessary to protect public safety as efforts get underway to repair the damage which occurred during the suppression of the Railroad Fire, say Forest Officials. The Railroad Fire has burned 12,407 acres since ...

OAKHURST — Firefighters are making very good progress on the Railroad Fire, which is now estimated at 12,407 acres and is 75 percent contained. Fireline has been completed around the entire perimeter (see large map at end of article) and crews continue to do mop-up and hit hot spots near the fire’s edge. Smoke will still be visible in some areas ...

OAKHURST — As evacuated residents return to their homes and Highway 41 reopens to the public, firefighters continue their work to contain the Railroad Fire, still actively burning along the east side near Big Sandy. The Railroad Fire is now estimated at 12,358 acres and is 70 percent contained. There are currently 1,020 personnel assigned to the incident. Over the ...

OAKHURST — After more than 10 days with the most traveled route into Yosemite National Park closed down due to a wildfire, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office has announced that the roadway will reopen at 2 p.m. today. Motorists should use caution while traveling in the area while fire equipment and firefighters continue operations. All turnouts and parking areas between ...

OAKHURST — A second night of cooler temperatures with higher humidity kept activity on the Railroad Fire to a minimum overnight. The fire is now estimated at 12,353 acres with 64 percent containment. Burning operations along firelines to the north and east of the community of Cedar Valley continued successfully throughout the night. Crews will continue to extinguish hot spots ...

NORTH FORK — As returning residents settle back into the lives in the Mission Fire area, fire crews continue their very good work toward total containment and control. The fire is still holding at 1,035 acres and is now 65 percent contained. There are currently 1,479 personnel assigned to the incident including 180 California National Guard troops specially trained as ...

OAKHURST — It was another productive day on the lines at the Railroad Fire, as crews have now achieved 55 percent containment. Sky Ranch Road was reopened to residents just before noon today, including ECCO and The Grove. Highway 41 is scheduled to be reopened tomorrow afternoon at 5 p.m. The Railroad Fire is now estimated at 12,344 acres, and ...

OAKHURST — Residents evacuated from Sky Ranch Road are being allowed to return home. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has announced that evacuations will be lifted as of 11:30 a.m. today for Sky Ranch, ECCO and The Grove. Residents will be required to show identification to enter, and the area remains closed to the public until further notice. Resident screening ...

OAKHURST —  Firefighters continued to make good progress on the Railroad Fire overnight, and officials have released their plan for repopulating evacuated areas and reopening Highway 41. The fire is now estimated at 12,141 acres with 50 percent containment. Fire officials have announced this schedule for the lifting of evacuations: The Fish Camp area will be open to the public ...

OAKHURST — At a community meeting tonight in Oakhurst, residents, travelers on Highway 41 and those who are employed north of town heard very good news. Fire officials have announced the schedule for the lifting of evacuations on the Railroad Fire. The Fish Camp area will be open to the public tomorrow, though people will have to access from the north ...