YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK-The Pika Fire currently burning behind North Dome in Yosemite National Park (YNP) is now 818 acres in size. As previously reported here, park officials use a confined and contained strategy that allows the fire to move naturally across the landscape, providing ecological benefits to plants and wildlife while meeting protection objectives to minimize risk to people and ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES–With the extreme heat facing the Valley, the Valley Air District encourages residents to take action to keep cool, check on your family and neighbors, and monitor air quality levels. The record-breaking heat over the coming days could increase the potential for wildfires to begin, and potentially deteriorate air quality conditions throughout the Valley. Valley and foothill residents are ...

By Michele Nowak-Sharkey, UC Master Gardener of Mariposa County The UC Master Gardener Program has been extending research-based information about home horticulture and pest management to the public since 1980. The UC Master Gardener Program is a public service and outreach program under the University of California  Agriculture and Natural Resources, administered locally by participating UC Cooperative Extension County offices. ...

MARIPOSA—California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Law Enforcement Officers arrested 31-year-old Gino Galileo Luciani on Wednesday, July 12th, 2023, in Mariposa County. Through an extensive investigation, Luciani was identified as the suspect responsible for igniting a vegetation fire on July 12th, 2023. The Ashworth Fire occurred in the Bootjack area in Mariposa County. The fire burned approximately ...

OAKHURST — Soroptimist International of The Sierras recently held their 55th Board Installation ceremony. Soroptimist is known for five high school scholarships: Dream Programs: “Dream It – Be It,” a one day conference for high school girls 8th grade awards for citizenship Women Helping Women and Women of Distinction awards Live Your Dream grants for women Their donations to International ...

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–Yosemite National Park (YNP) will begin a second round of civic engagement to address improving visitor experience and access to the busy park during peak season. The park is seeking input on several key concepts to address improving visitors’ access to and experience of the park’s most significant resources and features while ensuring that those resources are protected. ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — Get out your dancing shoes because it’s time to party! There’s live music (and lots of great food and drink) happening all over the mountain this weekend! Just take a look at what’s coming up on the musical horizon! Axis Grounded Music Series Presents Sound of Hollow Gather outside on the patio in Town Center at AXIS Coffee ...

Kathlene Sue Weber January 17, 1949 – July 1, 2023 Kathlene Sue (Popert) Weber of Coarsegold, CA, age 74, passed away Saturday, July 1, 2023, in Fresno, CA. Kathy was born January 17, 1949, in Romulus, Michigan, to Edwin Ernest Popert, Jr. and Vera Elizabeth (Rinke) Popert. The family moved to California in the early 1950s along with her siblings ...

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–Fire officials are reporting that the Pika Fire, burning west of North Dome at an elevation of 7,100 feet, has burned 40 acres. The lightning fire was discovered on June 29th, 2023. Yosemite Fire crews are using a confined and contain firefighting strategy utilizing natural barriers and trails. The fire has slow growth, with some isolated active pockets ...

MIDPINES—Mariposa County Code Compliance, in coordination with Mariposa County Fire, Mariposa County Health and Human Services, and Connections, is posting properties as unsafe to occupy at the Whispering Pines Apartments in Midpines due to significant and immediate life, health, and safety concerns. “We have to get them out of there for their own life and safety,” said Corrina Miranda, Mariposa ...