SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – The Rough Fire, burning near Hume Lake, is now 30,901 acres with 3 percent containment. Though it is some 50 miles southeast of Eastern Madera County and the Central Sierra, the area continues to be impacted by heavy smoke, especially during the morning hours. On Tuesday afternoon the Rough Fire spotted across the South Fork of ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Mountain area residents continue to experience smoke from the Rough Fire, burning southeast of Madera County about 50 miles, near Hume Lake off Highway 180. The Rough Fire grew 4,048 acres on Sunday, and is now estimated at nearly 21,000 acres with 0 percent containment. The fire was lightning-caused. It was reported on July 31, and ...

FRESNO — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against four individuals for their involvement in a large marijuana cultivation operation on the Sierra National Forest in Madera County. United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced the charges against Francisco Javier Gomez-Rodriguez, 37, Alejandro Ramirez-Rojo, aka Alejandro Ramires, 30, and Humberto Ceballos-Rangel, 37, all citizens of Mexico, and Anthony ...

AUBERRY – The Musick Fire, burning along Forest Road 9S07 between Power House Road and Highway 168, is adding to the already smoky skies and frayed nerves of the mountain area. The fire was reported shortly after noon today at about 5 to 10 acres. Crews are on scene and more are en route to the fire, which was most ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Yesterday afternoon the lightning-caused Rough Fire, burning on the Sierra National Forest north of Hume Lake, became very active doubling in size, from 600 to 1,200 acres with zero percent containment. Though the fire is southeast of Shaver Lake and some 50 miles from Oakhurst as the crow flies, smoke from the fire has impacted the ...

CLOVIS  – The Sierra National Forest regrets to report the passing of beloved volunteer John Glenn on Aug. 6. They share with his family in mourning his loss and express their deepest condolences on his passing. John was a longtime volunteer working with the Sierra National Forest, and died from injuries he sustained yesterday, engaging in the volunteer work he ...

NORTH FORK – As the Willow Fire has played out over the past eight days, and residents have watched in alarm as huge plumes of smoke rise over Peckinpah Mountain, people may have wondered just who’s running this show. Well, that would be a group of calm, methodical, deliberate individuals who make up the South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management ...

NORTH FORK – Mountain area residents woke to a red sunrise and the smell of smoke as the Willow Fire grew to 1,100 acres overnight. It is now 5 percent contained. The fire, which was reported at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, is burning in heavy fuels along the Willow Creek drainage north of North Fork and east of ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Because of the prolonged drought conditions, the Sierra National Forest is reminding all residents that fire danger remains above average across the Central Sierra and the chance of large or damaging fires still exists. Recent wetting rains provided only temporary relief from the danger of wildfire. With the return of dry weather and increasing temperatures, dangerous ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – The Soquel Ditch Bridge on Sky Ranch Road is being replaced and a one way detour system is being used to get up and down the mountain. Over the last week, the Forest Service has put significant efforts into grading, watering and rocking the detour.  The detour is now operational for use.  The signing will be ...