MOUNTAIN AREA — Even local insurance agents are calling it a “crisis” — the sky high price tag attached these days to homeowners insurance in large parts of eastern Madera County. Many area residents have recently been notified their homeowners insurance is going up — for some, by as much as 450 to 500 percent. And lately, according to local ...

NORTH FORK – Crews responded to a vegetation fire burning along Road 222 just south of Road 200 in North Fork this afternoon, and had it contained within minutes of their arrival. Firefighters were called out at around 5 p.m. to reports of a fire burning about 400 to 500 feet south of Road 200 on Auberry Road. The first ...

CATHEYS VALLEY – The Valley Fire, burning along Old Highway in Mariposa County, is now 80 percent contained at a new estimate of 155 acres. UPDATE: The Valley Fire is now 100 percent contained at 149 acres. The fire was reported at about noon on Sunday, July 19, near the address of 3043 Old Highway and quickly spread to over ...

CATHEYS VALLEY – Crews are on scene of a vegetation fire in the Catheys Valley area along Old Highway. To allow firefighters to access the area and for the safety of the public, Old Highway was closed for several hours between White Rock and School House. The fire was reported by several callers at about noon today near the address ...

NORTH FORK –  The Fish Fire, burning near Fish Creek Campground on Forest Road 4S81 (Mammoth Pool Road/ Minarets Road) is now 100 percent contained at 77 acres. The Fish Fire was reported at 4:17 p.m. on Monday, July 15, and has been burning in steep, rugged terrain with dry vegetation consisting of heavy brush and dead and downed timber ...

COARSEGOLD — Bring the family and stop by the new fire station on Glacier Drive for some old fashioned fun in Yosemite Lakes Park on Saturday, July 20 as the community celebrates the addition with an Ice Cream Social. The new 40×40 aluminum building is 1,600 square feet, large enough to house an engine and a water tender. The gathering ...

MADERA — After serving less than seven years of a 20-year sentence, convicted arsonist Kenneth Jackson is once again being considered for early parole — and the Madera County District Attorney is going on the record with her opposition to Jackson’s release and asking Madera County residents to voice their opinions, as well. Jackson was arrested along with his wife Alice ...

NORTH FORK – Crews continue to make excellent progress on the Fish Fire, burning near Fish Creek Campground on Forest Road 4S81 (Mammoth Pool Road/ Minarets Road). The fire is now estimated at 77 acres with 75 percent containment. Overnight fire behavior was at a low, allowing crews to gain a lot of ground. Activity remains concentrated on the east ...

NORTH FORK – Crews made excellent progress today on the Fish Fire, burning on the Bass Lake Ranger District of the Sierra National Forest near Fish Creek Campground. Fire activity today was mostly concentrated on the east flank where crews kept the fire from entering the San Joaquin River drainage. The rate of spread has been described as “low.” Crew ...

NORTH FORK – Residents in the North Fork area were greeted with the smell of smoke this morning as crews continue working to contain a fire burning on the Sierra National Forest near Fish Creek Campground on the Bass Lake District. The Fish Fire is burning entirely inside the perimeter of the 2014 French Fire on the downhill side of ...