MOUNTAIN AREA — Firefighters were scrambling to respond to two separate fires reported within minutes of each other this evening. Just before 9 p.m., crews were called out to reports of a vegetation fire on Road 400 just south of Yosemite Springs Parkway. A full wildland dispatch was called up, including dozers and one engine out of Fresno. Just moments ...

SACRAMENTO — As wildfires burn across California, new estimates on the number of dead trees in California were announced, prompting continued concern for California’s forest health and wildfire danger. Today, the US Forest Service released the outcome of its latest aerial surveys over California forestland, finding that over 66 million trees have now died due to drought and bark beetles ...

OAKHURST — Motorists should continue to be on the lookout for crews who will be painting new striping on a portion of State Route 41 just north of Oakhurst, as well as north of Road 222, the turnoff to Bass Lake. Department of Transportation (Caltrans) spokesman Cory Burkarth said today that the road painting that began on Tuesday, June 21 ...

MADERA COUNTY — Travelers can rest assured, knowing that blasting operations have concluded on the Highway 41 passing lanes project now under construction, according to the Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Caltrans’ Cory Burkharth confirmed today — there will not be any more blasting. “This week the contractor is placing aggregate base rock for the southbound widening lane,” says Burkharth. “Next ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — Firefighters are on scene of a vegetation fire burning just south of Bootjack on Humbug Creek Drive off Indian Peak Road. Crews were called out just after 2 p.m. First engine at scene reported the fire at 1/2 acre, burning in grass and oak with a moderate rate of spread. Engines, water tenders and two crews out ...

Written by Virginia Eaton — There’s a lot of research studying the care and feeding of the bacteria in our gut. Researchers have found numerous links between the health of the gut microbiome (the colonization of bacteria that live in our intestines) and the immune system, autism, depression, autoimmune diseases and conditions in the bowel. This includes inflammatory bowel disease, ...

MARIPOSA – While recent rains this winter and spring have been a welcome sight in California, drought conditions continue to increase fire danger in the region prompting Cal Fire to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties. This suspension took effect June 17, and bans all residential outdoor ...

OAKHURST — We’ve all enjoyed the recent bout of cooler weather, and now we need to prepare for the real deal as temperatures hit three digits before long. While the National Weather Service in Hanford forecasts that the foothills on Saturday, June 18 will hit a high near 84 degrees, and a low around 50, by Sunday, June 19, the temps are expected to ...

Written by Ronnie Sweeting — MARIPOSA — Get ready for another in a series of free summer concerts as “Music on the Green at The Art Park” features the unique and eclectic sounds of Baraka Moon on Friday, June 17. On Saturday, June 18, check out the powerful electric blues of Mike Hammar & The Nails. The shows are brought ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park anticipates an extremely busy weekend, as record visitation continues and the park prepares for President Obama’s historic visit to Yosemite June 17 – 19. The White House announced last week that the President and First Family will celebrate Father’s Day weekend with a family trip to Carlsbad Caverns and Yosemite National Parks. “We are honored ...