NORTH FORK – One of the big challenges of battling the Willow Fire, in addition to some nearly vertical granite walls, is the heavy regrowth of dense brush and the number dangerous snags left behind after the 2001 North Fork Fire. Over 4,000 acres burned in that fire along the Willow Creek drainage and across the face of Peckinpah Mountain. ...

NORTH FORK – Word is coming in from Operations on the Willow Fire that Road 274, between North Fork and Bass Lake, will reopen at noon today,  July 27. All other road closures and evacuations will remain in effect, including Central Camp Road, Douglas Ranger Station north of Trails End, and Autumn Ridge Way (Whiskey Falls Road/Forest Road 8S09). Whiskers ...

NORTH FORK – The Willow fire is now estimated at 1,521 acres, and is still at 5 percent containment. The fire is burning in the Willow Creek Canyon north of North Fork, and east of Bass Lake. Air Tankers and helicopters worked from above all day, as ground crews strengthened firelines and worked in steep, dense terrain. More resources continue ...

NORTH FORK – The Old Mill Site in North Fork will once again play host to an Incident Command Post as the Willow Fire ravages 200 acres north of town. The fire was reported at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, at the end of Willow Canyon Drive, and quickly raced north and east, burning in heavy fuels. It is ...

OAKHURST — The American Red Cross of the Central Valley is opening an evacuation center at the Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425B, for residents affected by the Willow Fire. Volunteers will be on scene to provide comfort, snacks, and water for evacuated families. The Red Cross is also coordinating with the Central California Animal Disaster Team to care for ...

NORTH FORK – A fast moving fire burning on the Sierra National Forest between North Fork and Bass Lake started today at about 2 p.m. Residents are lining Road 274 taking photos and video of the huge tower of smoke rising about the Willow Creek drainage. Road 274 between Old Central Camp Road and Central Camp Road is closed, along ...

NORTH FORK – The 45th anniversary of the Sierra Mono Museum’s Indian Fair Days and Pow Wow, one of the longest running Pow Wows in California, has been cancelled this year due to the Willow Fire burning near North Fork. The event was scheduled for this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1 – 2 at the North Fork Recreation Center. ...

Written by Crystal Pike – NORTH FORK – The North Fork Library hosts an “open mic” and “open arts” night twice a month on Saturday evenings, from 7 to 9 p.m. This event gives our local talent a time to shine and share with other community members. You can bring yourself, your words, music or art to display. We have ...

O’NEALS – A vegetation fire closed a portion of Highway 41 this morning from Road 200 to just south of the Rocky Cut (north of the 22-Mile House). The fire was reported just before 9:30 a.m. burning along the highway near Road 406, finally consuming about 1.5 acres before forward progress was stopped at 9:53 a.m. All incoming resources not ...

By Kellie Flanagan – MOUNTAIN AREA – More than half of California is mountain lion habitat. Sometimes, more than others, we’re reminded of that. It happened this month, and wasn’t reported right away. Dan Fidler got a call stating that a mountain lion had killed livestock on Jose Basin Road in Fresno County in a nocturnal attack that left residents ...