CLOVIS – The Bass Lake Ranger District, Sierra National Forest, is preparing to implement the fall/winter burning program, says Acting District Ranger Denise Tolmie. Projects will consist of two activities: pile burning and broadcast burning. “The objective of burning is to reintroduce low intensity fire to the ecosystem,” said Tolmie. “Prior to European settlement, lightning and Native Americans provided ignition ...

By Scott Lange — Just after Labor Day we set out to capture night and day on the John Muir Trail, and the journey was a great one.  Like many, we chose to begin in Yosemite’s Tuolumne Meadows due to the easier conditions for obtaining a permit, and because we’ve already hiked the valley several times. Departing the day after ...

Submitted by the BGC OAKHURST – The start of school brought a great rush of members to the Club this year both new and old, our daily attendance edging over 50 kids! The smoke from the wildfires kept everyone in for a few days where arts & crafts projects flourished, the kids making friendship bracelets, crochet, beading, drawing and coloring. ...

What do you do to celebrate the first day of Fall? Head to the east side of the Sierra to check out the early fall color at the higher elevations. We didn’t know what we would find but hoped we would find some Aspens turning their pretty fall colors. Distance: About 300 miles roundtrip Difficulty: Easy Elevation Range: 7,200′ to ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park invites all fourth grade students to visit the park and receive free entrance as part of the White House’s new Every Kid in a Park program. The program provides a free annual pass for fourth grade students and their families to visit more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks. Beginning today, fourth grade ...

The skies were cloudy as we headed up Beasore Rd. It rained lightly for a while but didn’t last near long enough. It made everything smell nice and fresh for a short while though.   Where: Sierra National Forest, Ansel Adams Wilderness Distance: 8.81 Miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: 6,641’ – 9,678’ Date: August 26, 2015 We headed up Beasore Rd. to ...

BASS LAKE – Have you been to Ducey’s on the Lake lately? We’re talking: discounts. The signature restaurant at the Pines Resort is a mainstay for delicious cuisine, with a mouth-watering menu thanks to Chef Johnathan Frabotta, who cooks with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients and aims for flavors that jump off the plate. It’s pretty well-known that Ducey’s ...

FRESNO — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against four individuals for their involvement in a large marijuana cultivation operation on the Sierra National Forest in Madera County. United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced the charges against Francisco Javier Gomez-Rodriguez, 37, Alejandro Ramirez-Rojo, aka Alejandro Ramires, 30, and Humberto Ceballos-Rangel, 37, all citizens of Mexico, and Anthony ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally during the week of Monday, Aug. 3 through Sunday, Aug 9, 2015. North Fork Burglary Deputies responded on Monday, Aug. 3 at 12:05 a.m. to the area of the 33200 block of West Vista Dr. for a burglary report at a vacation home. The ...

NORTH FORK – After a summer of fires and the stress of evacuations, the North Fork community was ready for a street party last Saturday night. With about 15 vendors, 3 live bands and more than 50 classic cars lining the street, a great time was had by all of the nearly 600 people who came out to celebrate and ...