OAKHURST – Cal Fire officials were met with cheers and applause this morning at the Oakhurst Community Center as residents from the Bass Lake Heights area learned that they will be allowed to return to their homes later today. Barring any unforeseen flareups in the burn area, or dangerous issues discovered by PG&E, officials hope to allow reentry about 6 ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – As fire management personnel gathered for the morning briefing at the Mariposa County Fairground’s Incident Command Post, they were optimistic yet cautious about fire conditions today. Crews achieved 25% containment overnight on the 300 acre fire, burning northeast from the William Sell bridge on Highway 49.

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Crews made good progress on the Bridge Fire overnight, achieving 25% containment on the fire which is still estimated at 300 acres. The Bridge Fire is burning just off Highway 49 at Harris Road, and was reported at 12:39 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5. Evacuations remain in place for homes on Harris Cutoff Road, Chowchilla Mountain Road ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Bridge Fire, burning just off Highway 49 at Harris Road, is now estimated at 300 acres, with 10% containment. The fire was reported at 12:39 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5. Evacuations remain in place for homes on Harris Cutoff Road, Chowchilla Mountain Road and all of the Ponderosa Basin area. There are currently 91 engines, 22 ...

OAKHURST – The Junction Fire, which started just before 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18, has burned more than 1,200 acres with 0% containment, and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents so far. The fire was initially reported behind Capitol Pipe on Highway 49 in Oakhurst, at about 1/4 acre, and quickly spread through the bone-dry vegetation.

OAKHURST – Smoke rising over the mountains north of Oakhurst and the sounds of sirens racing up Highway 41 got everyone’s attention just after 7 p.m. this evening. A full wildland dispatch was called up for a series of fires along Lewis Creek off Deer Run Trail Road on Tuesday, July 8. Dubbed the Allen Incident, there were reportedly nine ...

COARSEGOLD – The officers of the Oakhurst area CHP kept traffic moving at a good pace during their DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Friday, June 27 in Coarsegold. Officers set up near the Shell Station on the north end of town, and at about 7:30 p.m., began stopping southbound drivers to check for valid driver’s licenses and signs of impairment.

CALIFORNIA – With current drought conditions and everyone on high alert, attention to wildland firefighting has been heightened for many residents in the foothills and mountain area. We all see the engines, water tenders and crews rolling in to fight these fires, but perhaps the most spectacular sight from the vantage point most of us have, is the work of ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – A 40-acre fire burning in the Hunters Valley area of Mariposa County has prompted an evacuation order. The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office has issued an alert and evacuation order from the 7900 block of Hunters Valley Road to Bear Valley Road, Bear Valley Rd from Hunters Valley Road to the 4400 block / top of the ridge ...

SACRAMENTO – Fatal collisions involving motorcyclists have been increasing in California over the past few years. ln an effort to change this disturbing trend, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) are hoping to save lives through a month-long motorcycle safety and awareness campaign during May.