SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Unstable weather is expected in the area of the French Fire overnight, after lower temperatures and higher humidity throughout the day provided some welcome relief. Planners expect cloudy conditions with potential showers and thunderstorms tonight with light winds, which will be more erratic near any thunderstorms. So far an estimated 12,827 acres have been burned, and ...

MARIPOSA – Are you ready to rock on? The California State Mining and Mineral Museum is in the midst of a summer filled with fun activities the whole family can dig. For starters, stop by and see the famous Fricot Nugget of gold, now back on display in the vault area of the Museum, following security upgrades.

YOSEMITE – Firefighting efforts on the El Portal fire continue to go well, according to officials, who estimate the acreage at 4,689, with 89% containment. Crews are working to strengthen the containment line and are aggressively cooling hot spots near the fire’s perimeter.

YOSEMITE – Firefighters on the El Portal Fire made good progress today, completing a line around 78 percent of the fire. So far the fire has consumed 4,518 acres on the western edge of Yosemite and on the Stanislaus National Forest. Fire officials have also given an estimated containment date of Friday, Aug. 8 at midnight.

YOSEMITE – NatureBridge and Alcoa Foundation announced the 2014 NatureBridge Alcoa Scholars program. Twenty-four high school students were selected from more than 160 applicants from Alcoa communities around the world, representing 18 countries. This summer, these Scholars will participate in a 10-day program immersed in the wonder and science of Yosemite National Park while building connections with each other.

NORTH FORK – District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler has rescheduled his North Fork Town Hall meeting, originally set for Thursday, July 31. The new date will be Thursday, Aug. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. The location remains the same, the North Fork Rancheria Community Center, 56900 Kuhugib Road. The Town Hall schedule for the rest of 2014 is the ...

YOSEMITE – The El Portal Fire has now grown to 3,600 acres and is 34% contained. There are currently 1,063 personnel assigned to the incident, and the cost to date of suppression efforts is estimated at $4,400,000. Reports from fire officials note that the fire made a one-half to three-quarter mile run in the Crane Creek area today. Two small ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park officials have announced that Highway 120, from the Big Oak Flats entrance to Crane Flats, is now closed due to fire behavior on the El Portal Fire. There is no access to Yosemite from the west on this route. Big Oak Flats Road between Highways 140 and 120 is now open, making Tioga Road accessible ...

YOSEMITE – The El Portal fire continued to gain ground throughout the day, reaching 3,545 acres in size. However, crews made good progress on the lines. Firefighters have achieved 34% containment as the fire continues to char the forest on the west side of Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest. There are currently 864 personnel assigned to the ...

OAKHURST – A fire in Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park this morning may have spread into the surrounding vegetation and nearby homes were it not for the quick response of firefighters. At about 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29, a fire was reported in a double-wide mobile home on the lower level of the park located at 41941 Road 222.