HENSLEY LAKE – Firefighters are on scene of a roadside vegetation fire just south of Hensley Lake on Road 400. Just before 12:30 p.m., reports came in of a fire burning along Road 400 near Road 406. A full wildland dispatch was called out, including aircraft out of Hollister. The first unit at scene reported the fire at about 4 ...

EASTMAN LAKE – Wildland firefighting in an inherently dangerous job. While the risk of injury is apparent, what has not been studied and addressed to any significant degree is the incredible stress to the body, and the exposure to cancer-causing substances in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). New technology is changing that. “We know that the number one killer of ...

MARIPOSA – Effective Thursday, May 17, at 8 a.m., the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit will suspended all burning below the 2,000 foot elevation in Madera and Mariposa County. Open burning is allowed above the 2,000 elevation with valid permits only. Permits are free of charge and available at any Cal Fire station. Residents ...

MARIPOSA – Smoke will be visible this week as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) conducts a live fire training exercise at Eastman Lake. The training is in cooperation with Madera County Fire and Army Corp of Engineers, and will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 15 and 16. If conditions are conducive, approximately 180 ...

SACRAMENTO – In effort to reduce the risk and damage from wildfires, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) today announced the availability of local fire prevention grant funding. The program is part of Cal Fire’s California Climate Investments (CCI) which will increase carbon storage and sequestration in forestlands through a variety of objectives including wildfire prevention. ...

O’NEALS — Firefighters are on scene of a vegetation fire in the O’Neals area east of Road 211. Just before 2:30 p.m., crews were dispatched to reports of a fire on 3 Gate Road off Hildreth Road near High Water Road. The first unit at scene reported the fire at about two acres, burning at a slow rate of spread ...

SACRAMENTO — California’s wet winter created a sizable crop of new growth grass, but don’t let the wet weather fool you as the abundant grass dries into fuel-ripe tinder. Now is the time to act to prevent wildfires. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. declared May 6-12 “Wildfire Awareness Week” to urge homeowners that Fire Defense is Self Defense, Get Ready ...

MARIPOSA – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) has announced effective at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, May 1, all hazard reduction burning will require a permit in Mariposa County. Permits can be obtained free-of-charge at the nearest Cal Fire station: Cal Fire Usona – 2629 Highway 49 South, Mariposa Cal Fire Mariposa – ...

MARIPOSA – Recent rains and warm sunshine have fueled vegetation growth, which fuels wildfires. With fire season fast approaching, failing to manage vegetation around your home can create hazardous conditions. While firefighters are busy performing fire prevention projects and training for this upcoming fire season, it’s critical that residents do their part to prepare for wildfires by maintaining their 100 ...

OAKHURST – Madera County, Cal Fire and Yosemite/Sequoia Resource Conservation & Development Council are hosting a reforestation workshop on Tuesday, Mar. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Oakhurst Community Center. Residents are invited to come and learn more about the benefits of post-disturbance reforestation, the California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP), and learn replanting methods and get resources. A ...