OAKHURST – Students, teachers and community members got their Fall on Friday, Sept. 25 at Yosemite High School, as a large and festive group celebrated autumn with an all-school rally. About 700 classmates, their instructors, administration and special visitors attended the rally in the gym just before lunch. The event was planned and presented by ASB class, led by Rose ...

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 ...

YOSEMITE –  As the summer season winds down, campgrounds throughout Yosemite are closing. Here is list of the closure dates for those park facilities: – Bridalveil Creek campground closed for the season at noon on Sept. 22. – Tuolumne Meadows campground will close for the season at noon on Sunday, Sept. 27. – Crane Flat campground will close for the season at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 13. – Wawona ...

OAKHURST – Mountain Heritage Days continued on Saturday, Sept. 19 with families lined up for the annual parade, and the results are in. Photos by Virginia Lazar Automobile / Antique 1st   Madera Co. Board of Supervisors Automobile / Classic Car 1st John & Waunetta Fuchs, Jr. 2nd Robin Underwood 3rd Chamber of Commerce Automobile / Club 1st Mountain Mafia 2nd ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Smoke was visible again today from the Rough Fire, due to tactical firing operations. Unburned pockets of fuel continue to burn with higher temperatures over the fire area. Firefighters will strengthen and hold containment lines during these operations to prevent escape. Rough Fire has burned within 250 yards of the General Grant – the 2nd largest ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – The Rough Fire is now estimated at 141,491 acres, up only slightly from yesterday’s estimate of 141,201 acres. Containment remains at 68 percent. There have been 4 structures lost in the fire, and 7 firefighters have been injured. Details of those injuries are not available. Firefighter fatigue is continually being monitored due to the lengthy effects of ...

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 ...

OAKHURST – Did you know that, according to CHP, critical misuse of child safety seats happens about 73 percent of the time? In honor of National Child Passenger Safety Week, the Oakhurst Area CHP is holding a Car Seat Check Up Event following the conclusion of the Heritage Days Parade on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ...

HUME LAKE RANGER DISTRICT & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK – The National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service are excited to share with the public the plan and timetable for the reopening of the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park, the road between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (the Generals Highway), and parts of the Giant ...

YOSEMITE – The Tenaya Fire is now 100 percent contained at 415 acres. Total containment was achieved at noon yesterday, Sept. 16. Fire crews will continue mop up activities over the next few days. All trails have been reopened, however signs are posted warning hikers to stay on the trail while hiking adjacent to this fire. The Tenaya Fire is ...