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 ...

RAYMOND — A escaped control burn north of Raymond this morning is a reminder that the recent snows have not brought enough moisture to prevent the unintended spread of fire as residents burn debris piles. As of noon today, firefighters are at scene of an escaped control burn in the Raymond area just off Road 600. Just after 11 a.m. ...

SACRAMENTO – Residents of the Central Sierra will soon see more crews on county roadways as new funding from Cal Fire helps with the removal of hazard trees. Six million dollars have been awarded in a one-time grant to aid high-priority counties impacted by California’s historic tree mortality. Cal Fire’s Local Assistance for Tree Mortality (LATM) Grant Program will provide ...

OAKHURST — Firefighters were called out just after 5 a.m. this morning for reports of a structure fire in the 38000 block of Golden Ball Drive just off Road 426. The first engine at scene reported heavy smoke and flames on one end of the single-story, 1500 square foot home. The two residents were asleep when the fire broke out, ...

COARSEGOLD — Firefighters battled a structure fire in the pouring rain this evening on Comstock Drive in Coarsegold. Just after 8 p.m., reports came in of a trailer on fire at the very end of the cul-de-sac. The first engine on scene reported a 500 square foot trailer about 50 percent involved, with no other structures immediately threatened. By 9 ...

CALIFORNIA — NBC television host Ellen DeGeneres is inviting local firefighters to attend a taping of her show as a way to say “thank you” for the service they provide, statewide. Ellen took time in her first broadcast of the new year to thank the people who responded to fires that threatened the Santa Barbara-area home she shares with Portia ...

BASS LAKE —  A woman in the Bass Lake Annex had her car stolen this evening, only to find that it had been wrecked less than half-mile from her house. Just after 7:30 p.m., residents along Road 222 just south of the Annex heard the sound of squealing tires, followed quickly by the noise of a crash, and called 911. ...