Contributed by Len McKenzie, YAAS — Field biologist Christy Sherr will take local residents on a virtual field trip on Thursday, Apr. 14, when she revisits the 2013 Rim Fire in a slide presentation, “Wildlife Nurseries: The Surprising Benefits of Beetles and Wildfires.” This monthly program of the Yosemite Area Audubon Society will begin at 7 p.m. at the Mariposa ...

Guest Column written by Bill Ritchey —  NORTH FORK – Sitting at the end of the cul-de-sac of Chipo Poyah Road in Teaford Lakes Meadow stands a 3-story house that 87-year-old retiree George Hathaway has called home since 1986. Like other homes in the cozy neighborhood, Hathaway’s sits nestled among dozens of dense pines. Similarly as well, many of his ...

NORTH FORK – While it’s not really their mission to purchase equipment for stations other than Madera County Fire Department Station 11, the North Fork Fire Department Auxiliary voted unanimously at their December meeting to spend nearly $2,500 to buy an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) for the Rancheria Cal Fire Station on Road 200. Many Cal Fire Stations do not ...

Written by Lisa Clark NORTH FORK – The countdown is on for the Fall Festival honoring our firefighters at the Putney Ranch, now the Siderman’s Family Camp and Conference Center. An amazing day is planned packed full of sunshine, food, beer, wine, apple martinis, dance, bingo, kiddie games crafts, hay rides, paint ball, archery, crafts vendors, cash prize cupcake contest, ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST  – As firefighters gain significant ground on the Rough Fire, demobilization continues and crews are being released to return to their home units or for reassignment to other incidents across the state. The state’s largest wildfire is holding at 143,599 acres, and is now 79 percent contained.  There are currently 935 personnel assigned to the incident, including ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday, Sept. 15, to approve a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County and the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians. Agreement on, and adoption of an MOU is one of the steps required to get the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino reopened. On Aug. 26, Chief Operating ...

NORTH FORK – The mission of the North Fork Fire Department Auxiliary is to raise money to equip Station 11 firefighters with items and gear not provided by the County or Cal Fire. So when a $20,000 check arrived in the mail recently, it was cause for celebration. The very generous gift was from the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation. Janice ...

COARSEGOLD — The American Red Cross of the Central Valley is opening a shelter to assist residents affected by the Sundance Fire. The shelter is located at the Yosemite Lakes Community Church, 43840 Patrick Ave. in Yosemite Lakes Park. Red Cross volunteers will provide lodging, meals, hygiene kits and more for the evacuated families. “We started working with our government ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – As dense smoke continues to impact central California, the Rough Fire has now grown to 103, 244 acres, still at 31 percent containment, and remains the largest active fire in California. Heavy concentrations of smoke continue to be present in the fire area. Smoke is slow to lift with increased impacts in the San Joaquin Valley ...

MADERA COUNTY – Smoke from the Rough Fire is affecting air quality throughout the San Joaquin Valley and the foothills, prompting air officials to issue a health cautionary statement. Strong high pressure is causing stagnant dispersion conditions resulting in widespread smoke impacts across Fresno, Madera, Merced, Kings, Tulare, Stanislaus, San Joaquin and the valley portion of Kern counties. Air officials ...