FRESNO — Humberto Ceballos-Rangel (Ceballos), 37, of Mexico, pleaded guilty today in connection with his involvement in a large marijuana cultivation operation found by law enforcement last summer in the Sierra National Forest in Madera County, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. Ceballos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to manufacture, to distribute, and to possess with the ...

CLOVIS – The Sierra National Forest is pleased to announce that Dave Updike has come on board as the new Fire Management Officer. The Sierra is facing many challenges as they deal with the largest number of dead trees on the forest in recorded history, and Updike is ready to get to work. “We have identified the problem and need ...

SIERRA FOOTHILLS — The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a flash flood watch for Central California, including Madera, Mariposa and Fresno County foothills through Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 22. This advisory is mainly for the Rim Fire and El Portal fire burn areas, but extends from Yosemite to Kings Canyon. Heavy rain may cause areas of flooding and debris ...

CLOVIS – In an effort to keep the public engaged throughout the forest plan revision process for the Inyo, Sequoia and Sierra National Forests, the U.S. Forest Service is sharing their draft evaluations of lands that may be suitable for recommendation and inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. No new wilderness areas are being designated at this time; only ...

Submitted by the Sierra National Forest SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Following four years of drought, forests throughout the Southern Sierra are experiencing a tree mortality event at a scale unprecedented in recorded history. Locals and visitors to the Sierra National Forest (SNF) are well aware of this event, as dead trees are visible in staggering numbers throughout the landscape. Beyond ...

BASS LAKE — More than 1,300 dead and dying trees have been taken down along Road 274, eliminating hazards to motorists and providing residents with a wealth of easily accessible firewood. On Wednesday, Dec. 9, crews from Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service completed the last stretch of Road 274 between Marina View and Mono Wind Way, dropping about ...

BASS LAKE — Hazard tree removal along Road 274 on the north side of Bass Lake will continue on Wednesday, Dec. 9, according to Burt Stalter, Fuels Management Specialist on the Bass Lake Ranger District, and one of the fallers on the project. Motorists should expect delays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as trees that have to be dropped ...

Submitted by Burt Stalter, Dave Smith and Anne Lombardo SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — Forest thinnings, also known as fuel treatments, are done in our National Forests to reduce vegetation that can feed wildfires. Fuel treatments involve the thinning of trees, mastication of brush, branches and little trees or ladder fuels that can carry the fire into the crowns of the ...

CLOVIS – The Sierra National Forest is requesting public input for the 2017 State Off Highway Motor Vehicle (OHV) funding/proposal submission cycle. This year the State has funds available for education, operation and maintenance, plus law enforcement and restoration projects, and the Sierra National Forest will submit an OHV grant application for this funding. As part of the application process, ...

BASS LAKE – Multiple agencies were out in force today clearing hazard trees from Road 274 on the north side of Bass Lake. The 3-day project is a cooperative effort between Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, the Madera County Fire Department, County Roads and the Sheriff’s Office. Some 1,200 trees have been identified as posing a hazard to motorists ...