OAKHURST – Sierra National Forest officials continue to implement the winter/spring burning program within the Bass Lake Ranger District. Projects will consist of two activities: pile burning, and understory burning. Prescribed fire is used to remove fuels created during tree mortality, timber harvest, and reforestation. The removal of these fuels provides a benefit by reducing the potential of a wildfire ...

MADERA COUNTY– Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Jan. 29 to Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. Oakhurst domestic dispute On Monday, Jan. 29 at 4:47 a.m. deputies responded in regards to a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, an investigation was conducted and a report was written to document the incident. Case can be ...

YOSEMITE — Tuolumne Winter Rangers Laura and Rob Pilewski report in this week’s blog that the snowpack in their beautiful corner of Yosemite National Park is rather dismal. Here is their post on Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions for Jan. 31, 2018: New snow: 9 inches Total settled snow depth: 12 inches (at 8,600 feet) High temperature: 54°F (January 29) Low ...

YOSEMITE — Tuolumne Winter Rangers Laura and Rob Pilewski’s latest blog post from the field: Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update for January 24, 2018 New snow [as of Jan. 24): 6 inches Total settled snow depth: 10 inches (at 8,600 feet) High temperature: 45°F (January 23) Low temperature: -5°F (January 21) Ski Conditions and Weather This was the first week ...

MADERA COUNTY– Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Jan. 15 to Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. Oakhurst commercial burglary On Monday, Jan. 15 at 7:11 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 49000 block of road 426 in regards to a commercial burglary. Statements were collected, photos were taken of scene, items ...

It had been 27 years since I walked the area around Foresta, not since I was assigned as a Strike Team Leader on Structure Protection at Foresta and El Portal on the lightening caused A-Rock Fire that burned 17,700 acres and 45 structures back in 1990. I was way overdue to spend some leisurely time exploring the waterfalls, old barns, ...

NORTH FORK — A single-vehicle crash south of North Fork this evening sent the driver to the hospital with major injuries. At about 6:20 p.m., a couple in the 59000 block of Road 225 heard a crash and the sound of a horn blaring up on the road near their house. They rushed up to the roadway and located a ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — Prescribed burning operations have resumed on the Ponderosa fuelbreak east of Cascadel Point near North Fork. Smoke has been visible for the last few days. “We still have a fair amount of acreage of tree mortality burn piles to finish up, and have a contract burn crew with a Forest Service representative on scene each day ...

MADERA COUNTY– Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Jan. 1 to Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018. Oakhurst report of plasma in parking lot On Monday, Jan. 1 at 8:33 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 40000 block of Hwy 41 regarding plasma in a parking lot. Report written and case closed. ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The National Weather Service is reporting that heavy rain and gusty winds will develop over much of central and southern California by Monday, Jan. 7, which may result in debris flows and mudslides due to the recent wildfires. Winter Storm Warning  In Yosemite, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8 to ...