MARIPOSA COUNTY – As temperatures continue to hover near the century mark, firefighters are powering through their ninth day on the lines of the Ferguson Fire. The fire is burning on both the Sierra and Stanislaus National Forests and grew to 32,484 acres today with 6 percent containment. The number of structures threatened by the fire is now reported at ...

Hard working, protector, giving, loving, sensitive, kind and quiet are a few words that describe Braden Varney. Son, brother, husband, father and friend explain the lives he’s touched. Braden was born to Gordie and Lynn Varney on May 12, 1982. At the young age of four, Braden operated his first snow plow that Gordie made him out of a riding ...

Written by Naomi Flam – MARIPOSA – Even firefighters need help with their pets! Tom from Yucaipa, Calif., is helping at the Ferguson Fire. His dog Boss is being taken care of during the day at Mariposa SPCA while he’s working at the fire. At night, Tom will have his pup with him. Thank you Tom for your hard work ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Ferguson Fire was active on most every front Saturday as it grew to 30,493 acres. It is just 6 percent contained. The number of personnel assigned to the incident has increased to 2,903, including 204 engines, 72 crews, 42 dozers, 38 water tenders, 17 helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft as conditions allow. Most of the new line ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Ferguson Fire grew more than 1,900 acres today after the inversion lifted, with most of the activity on the north flank of the fire. It is now estimated at at 29,045 acres with 6 percent containment. Most of the increased acreage was north of Highway 140 near Ned’s Gulch where the fire spotted over yesterday. Both ...

MODESTO – Members of the Fire Service family will be celebrating the life of a fallen brother, Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Braden Varney, on Monday, July 23, in Modesto, Calif. There will also be a public visitation on Sunday, July 22. Braden Varney, just 36 years old, was killed on July 14 when his dozer rolled over in a steep ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Ferguson Fire continues to challenge firefighters as it pushes north across the Merced River along Highway 140 west of Yosemite National Park. The Ferguson Fire grew more than 2,500 acres throughout the day and into the night hours Friday as the inversion layer lifted and fire activity increased in many areas of the fire’s footprint. It ...

MARIPOSA  — The American Red Cross of the Central Valley has opened an evacuation center to further accommodate those affected by the Ferguson Fire, located at Yosemite Valley Elementary School, 9009 Lost Arrow, in Yosemite Valley. Evacuations have been ordered for Old El Portal, Yosemite View Lodge, Rancheria and Foresta communities. The following Red Cross locations are open to assist ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – More than 2,700 people are involved in the firefight south of Highway 140 in Mariposa County, battling sweltering heat along with a fire that keeps pushing through incredibly steep and dangerous terrain. The Ferguson Fire, now in its seventh day, is estimated at 24,450 acres and 7 percent containment. The fire spotted north across the Merced River ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Just after 3 p.m. the Ferguson Fire spotted across the Merced River to the north and onto the Stanislaus National Forest at the north end of Ferguson Ridge in the river’s dogleg west of Cedar Lodge. Helicopters were called in to work what was reported as two spot fires. The largest is now reported to be 250 ...