MADERA — The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) has announced effective 8 a.m. Friday, May 31, hazard reduction burning in Eastern Madera County is restricted below 2,000 feet in elevation. Hazard reduction burning above 2,000 feet is allowed with a valid permit from San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Burn permits may ...

MADERA COUNTY – Cal Fire crews are working along Highway 41 to prepare for a prescribed burn aimed at lowering the number of wildfires along the corridor. The prescribed burn will span approximately 11 miles along the east side of Highway 41 from the Friant canal (Mile Marker 6.95) just north of Avenue 15, to Road 200 (mile marker 17.91) ...

SACRAMENTO – The Camp Fire, which burned over 153,000 acres in Butte County last year and destroyed 18,804 structures, was caused by PG&E electrical transmission lines, said Cal Fire in a statement released today. The Camp Fire started the morning of Nov. 8, 2018, and resulted in 85 civilian fatalities and several firefighter injuries. It is the deadliest and most ...

MADERA – The Madera County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to close two county fire stations and consolidate staff and equipment with others nearby. Madera County Fire Station 16 in Ahwahnee will be closed, as will Station 17 in O’Neals. Madera County Assistant Fire Chief Matt Watson told the board this morning that while “the concept of consolidation may ...

MADERA – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) has announced that effective 8 am. on Monday, May 13, hazard reduction burning in Eastern Madera County is restricted below 1,000 feet in elevation. Hazard reduction burning above 1,000 feet is allowed on permissive burn days with a valid permit from San Joaquin Valley Air ...

SACRAMENTO – Once again California’s wet winter created a sizable crop of new grass growth, but don’t let the wet weather fool you as the abundant grass dries. It is fuel for wildfires. Now is the time to act to prevent wildfires. Governor Gavin Newsom declared May 5-11 “Wildfire Preparedness Week” to urge homeowners that “California Wildfires Have Changed, Together ...

MARIPOSA – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) has announced that effective at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, all hazard reduction burning will require a permit in Mariposa County. Permits can be obtained at the nearest Cal Fire station: Cal Fire Catheys Valley – 2203 Highway 140, Catheys Valley Cal Fire Usona ...

O’NEALS — Crews were called out at 1:30 p.m. today for reports of a vegetation fire on Sierra Oaks Lane off Road 211 in the O’Neals area. The first unit at scene reported the fire at two-to-three acres, burning in light, flashy fuel with roads on two sides. The incident commander reported that crews would be able to handle the ...

MARIPOSA – Recent rains and warm sunshine has fueled recent vegetation growth. The fire season is fast approaching and if vegetation is not managed it can create hazardous conditions for wildfire. Cal Fire’s Defensible Space Inspectors (DSI) are visiting homes within the State Responsibility Area (SRA) to enforce the Defensible Space code, Public Resource Code (PRC) 4291. It requires residents ...

O’NEALS – A day trip to Bass Lake ended in flames this morning for a father and son as their vehicle caught fire while headed up Road 200. A man from Fresno was looking forward to spending the day with his son just hanging out at Bass Lake. But as they passed through the O’Neals area just before noon, their ...