SAN FRANCISCO — As woody debris piles up from dead trees killed by drought and bark beetle infestation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has launched an expanded debris management program to support its customers in 10 counties severely impacted by California’s growing tree mortality emergency. PG&E is offering the expanded debris removal program to customers in Kern, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, ...

PRATHER — The Goose Fire, burning south of Prather along Highway 168, has now grown to 1,000 acres with just 5 percent containment. The fire was reported at 2:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon in the area of Gooseberry Lane and Morgan Canyon (see map below), and has forced the evacuation of more than 300 homes and closed Highway 168 from Auberry Road ...

PRATHER — Firefighters are currently battling a wildfire that was reported at about 2:30 p.m. near Prather. The Goose Fire as prompted the evacuation of approximately 100 homes in the area of Gooseberry Lane and Morgan Canyon (see map below). Latest reports put the fire at 80 acres, spreading at a dangerous rate. A portion of Highway 168 has been ...

NORTH FORK — Crews make good progress on the Fork Fire last night, completing dozer line around the entire perimeter, save a few spots that were too steep to access. In those small areas, hand line was dug to tie everything in. The fire was last estimated at just over 38 acres, and is now 40 percent contained. Though there ...

NORTH FORK — The North Fork Biomass Disposal Facility has now begun accepting hazard log biomass to help address the tree mortality issues in Madera County. On Friday, July 22, the Yosemite/Sequoia Resource Conservation and Development Council (Y/S RC&D Council) initiated the soft open of the facility at the North Fork Mill Site, which will store and process hazardous logs ...

COARSEGOLD — The “Broken Fire,” so-named for its proximity to the long-closed Broken Bit Restaurant on Highway 41 north of Coarsegold, is now 80 percent contained at 103 acres as of 7 a.m. Tuesday. The fire broke out just before noon today on the Veater Ranch, threatening one home before the forward progress was stopped at about 3:20 p.m. Pre-evacuation ...

O’NEALS — Anyone who travels on Road 200 in the O’Neals area has gotten a good laugh, a moment of “Aaah, isn’t that sweet,” or has turned around to go back for pictures of the little Minions in the field at Ryan and Staci Smith’s house near Ponderosa Telephone. The Minions — or Sminions, as the Smith’s have dubbed them ...

NORTH FORK — The North Fork Studio offers, for a limited time, one free yoga class for Sierra News Online sustaining members. Visit the website for the North Fork Studio for class days and times, and call the studio to make an appointment. Tell them you’re a SNO member and enjoy your free yoga class soon. Some limits apply. North ...

For a limited time starting June 30, SNO sustaining members may receive $50 off a home inspection by Matt Henderson of High Sierra Inspection. Some restrictions apply. Give Matt a call and tell him you’re an SNO subscriber to receive your discount.  www.highsierrainspection.com MOUNTAIN AREA — If you’re like most people, you spend countless hours and untold dollars taking care ...

Written by Senator Tom Berryhill —  Perhaps no day brings our nation and its diverse people together to celebrate more than Independence Day. Fireworks, picnics, parades. The Fourth of July is truly an American celebration. It is not only the birthday of our national independence but the birthday of our political freedom. This year Americans will go to the polls ...