The USDA Forest Service announced the publication of a final rule implementing key changes to its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. The changes include new tools and flexibilities to tackle critical land management challenges as part of a broader agency effort to better serve the American people through timely, high-quality management decisions affecting infrastructure, permitting and restoration of natural ...

MARIPOSA – Effective Monday, November 23, 2020 at 8:00 am the burn suspension in Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties will be lifted. CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit Chief Mike van Loben Sels is formally cancelling the burn suspension and advises that those possessing current and valid residential burn permits can now resume burning on permissive burn days. Burn permits will be ...

Nov. 20, 2020 – Yosemite National Park announces Glacier Point and Tioga Roads are closed to all vehicular traffic for the winter season. Glacier Point and Tioga Roads typically close each fall and remain closed through the winter season. These roads reopen each spring when weather and road conditions are safe for vehicular traffic. Yosemite National Park is open year-round with snow removal on all ...

MADERA COUNTY MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES – Supervisor Tom Wheeler will be holding another virtual Town Hall Meeting via Zoom Nov. 19, 2020 at 6 pm. Supervisor Wheeler has some great speakers on deck, including Britta Dyer with the American Forest, California Dept. of Insurance, Madera County Veteran Affairs, Madera County Public Health, Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau, and Sierra National Forest. The ...

For the interactive 360° VR experience, go to https://www.virtualyosemite.org/virtual-tour/#node305 The first snow of the season in Yosemite can sometimes arrive while fall colors are still on display. Such was the case this first weekend of November, 2020, as seen above in a view from Leidig Meadow. The snow beautifully highlights the textures of the granite peaks surrounding Yosemite Valley, while ...

For the interactive 360° VR experience, go to https://www.virtualyosemite.org/virtual-tour/#node303 Every year, Yosemite puts up “Speeding Kills Bears” signs to mark where bears have been hit or killed by vehicles in the park. Most spots change year-to-year as new incidents occur, but others mark repeated accident locations. In 2019, the park designated several new Wildlife Protection Zones and clocked the speed ...

Jon passed away on September 24th with his son by his side. Jon was born on May 12, 1960, in Fresno County to Robert Heckman and Edith Heckman (Simmoms.) Jon was a happy person that always left a good impression when he met someone. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, whether it be building a shelf, replacing ...

For the interactive 360° VR experience, go to www.virtualyosemite.org/virtual-tour/#node296. Among California’s best locations to experience fall color is the June Lake area, just outside the eastern border of Yosemite National Park. The June Lake Loop (CA Highway 158) runs through the town of June Lake, and along a handful of popular recreational lakes. These lakes, and the rivers that join ...

For the interactive 360° VR experience, go to https://www.virtualyosemite.org/virtual-tour/#node302 Fall color comes to Yosemite in many ways, beyond just the changing leaves of the cottonwood, maple, dogwood, oak, and aspen trees here. Here in El Cap Meadow, on the edge of an afternoon shadow from Cathedral Rocks, grasses turn golden brown and deciduous trees near the Merced River add to ...

Hello. I am Oscar and this cute little black fuzzball is Dana. We are just two of the multitude of kitties that will be available for adoption Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Mountain Feed in Coarsegold. See you there!