MADERA COUNTY — The Oakwood Fire, which started on Saturday, June 10, at about 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Roads 209 and 406, is holding at 1,450 acres, and is now 85 percent contained. The containment estimate does not mean there is only line around 85 percent of the fire, but rather that officials are 100 percent confident in ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Oakwood Fire, which started on Saturday, June 10, at about 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Roads 209 and 406, is holding at 1,450 acres with 75 percent containment. A quick-moving storm brought rain and wind to the burn area yesterday evening. Crews continue to strengthen firelines and do mop-up of hot spots within the perimeter. ...

MARIPOSA — Over 100 firefighters from the Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit participated in live fire training at Eastman Lake this week, ahead of what is sure to be a challenging fire season. The training was held May 22 and 24 as one component of Cal Fire’s summer preparedness drill, and included 25 engines, 4 crews and 2 dozers, along with ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Smoke from the Elm Fire near Hwy 198 in Coalinga is affecting air quality in the western portion of the San Joaquin Valley and has the potential to impact Fresno, Kings and the western portions of Kern County. Currently, smoke impacts originally concentrated in the foothill areas to the west of the air basin have moved to the ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Madera County Board of Supervisors learned first-hand the capabilities of the new T-Rex, the articulating platform ladder fire truck, soon to be put into service at Station 8 in Coarsegold. During today’s regular Board meeting, MMU Cal Fire Division Chief Dave Allen gave the supervisors a close-up look at the new truck, which was acquired to ...

COARSEGOLD — A fire burning at the edge of Yosemite Lakes Park near the dam at Black Hawk Lake has been contained. Just before 4 p.m., as mop-up was being completed at the Garnet Fire on Road 400, firefighters were dispatched to the end of Patrick Avenue for another vegetation fire. A resident who was out for a run along ...

COARSEGOLD — “Just because it’s a burn day doesn’t mean it’s safe to burn.” It’s a warning given often by fire officials, but not necessarily heeded by residents. Firefighters responded today to yet another escaped burn pile, this one just outside Yosemite Lakes Park on Road 400 near Garnet Creek Lane. At about 2:20 p.m., crews were dispatched to the ...

CENTRAL SIERRA – The last thing you want to do while working to protect your home from wildfire is to cause one, or to be billed for suppression efforts made necessary by negligent actions, and unintended consequences. During the dry fire-prone months, mountain area residents are extra diligent in keeping the dry weeds cut and under control in an effort ...

COARSEGOLD — A burn pile that escaped the control of a homeowner today in Yosemite Lakes Park, sparked a vegetation fire in a neighborhood on Glacier Court. At 12:10 p.m. firefighters were called out to reports of a grass fire threatening several homes in an area just off Yosemite Springs Parkway. Cal Fire Engines 4255, 4294 and 4295 responded, along with ...

MARIPOSA — After a destructive fire season in 2016, conditions in California are already drying out, prompting Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., to declare May 7 – 13, 2017 as “Wildfire Awareness Week.” During Wildfire Awareness Week, Cal Fire is stressing the critical role all residents play in preparing for fire season now. Approximately 90 percent of all wildfires in ...