Madera County – Evacuation Orders for the following areas have been reduced to Evacuation Warnings. Residents in the area need to be aware that there is still a potential for evacuations and need to be prepared to evacuate at a moments notice. Citizens need to monitor the situation and be prepared to take action immediately.These areas are being opened to ...

Like everyone else, I spent the past week closely watching the progress of the Creek Fire, along with so many other fires. There was too much smoke to do any hiking and while hiding inside from that smoke, it seemed like a good time to tell you about Fannie the Corgi’s hiking wardrobe. She recently joined my hiking team and ...

CALIFORNIA – Sept. 12, 2020 – Over 16,000 firefighters continue working to gain containment on the 28 major wildfires across California. Even though 13 new wildfires erupted yesterday, only one, in Siskiyou County, grew beyond the control of the initial response firefighters. With improved weather conditions, containment numbers increased on all of the fires, with some quickly approaching full containment. ...

CALIFORNIA – Sept. 10, 2020 – As critical fire weather conditions subsided yesterday, firefighters accomplished full containment on one of the many fires burning in the State. Today, approximately 14,000 firefighters remain on the line of 29 major wildfires burning across California. Although 37 new fires were sparked yesterday, crews contained most of them quickly though two have grown to ...

CALIFORNIA – September 9, 2020 – Yesterday, and overnight, wind conditions allowed many fires to grow significantly with extreme fire behavior. While containment on many of last month’s lightning fires grows closer, several new wildfires ignited and were fanned by strong gusty winds. Today approximately 14,000 firefighters are battling 28 major wildfires across California.  The newest fire, the Willow in Yuba County, ...

For the interactive 360° virtual reality experience, go to: https://www.virtualyosemite.org/virtual-tour/#node254 The hike to Lukens Lake is a relatively easy one by Yosemite standards, in spite of the 8,200′ elevation.  The trail extends about 0.8 miles from Tioga Road, and only climbs about 200 feet. This is a good trail for young kids (not too long and not too steep.) As ...

UPDATE – 2:45 pm – An Evacuation Order has been issued for Southside of Road 200 between Road 221 and Road 222 and all spur roads. Such as Oak Junction Lane Wyle Ranch Road, Lumburg Road and Fast Lane. Road 222 between Road 200 and the Fresno/Madera County Line and all spur roads. Such as Carmen Ranch Road, Ciatana Creek ...

UPDATE – 5:30 pm – An Evacuation Warning has been issued for Sierra Sky Ranch (Road 632) and surrounding area due to Fire. There is a potential threat to life and property. Monitor the situation and be prepared to take action immediately. Don’t wait for an evacuation order to leave if you feel threatened. Those who require additional time to ...

Camping with the dogs for four days in the Tioga Pass area was a great getaway from the smoke. Sally, Fannie and I did a little hiking, a little wandering, a little relaxing, some wading, and we all took a few good naps. Where: Harvey Monroe Hall Research Natural Area, Hoover Wilderness, Inyo National ForestDistance: 5.94 MilesDifficulty: Moderate to StrenuousElevation ...

MADERA COUNTY, CA (AUGUST 31, 2020) – Central California’s Madera County is the largest rural county in the state and home to the Madera Wine Trail. The landscape stretches from productive farmlands to rolling foothills and upward into the High Sierra. It’s no mystery why this countryside has been wine-making since the 1800’s, the weather is warm, the skies are ...