MADERA COUNTY — Cal Fire conducted a relatively rare live-fire training course Saturday and Sunday in Chowchilla. Participants in the weekend class — called State Fire Marshal Fire Control 3A — came from the Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) and included individuals from Madera County Fire, Madera City Fire, Mariposa County Fire, Merced County Fire, Atwater City Fire, California Department ...

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 ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — From atop the mountain perch overlooking a vast expanse of green, eyes are carefully trained to spot the early tell-tale signs of forest fire. A wisp of smoke triggers a series of actions that can mean the difference between safety and catastrophe. Want to be a fire lookout or know someone who does? Volunteers are now ...

NORTH FORK – Even with a quick response by firefighters, a home on Horn Road just off Bonnie B burned to the ground this afternoon. Just before 3 p.m., neighbors heard a strange noise and went outside to investigate. They saw the house next door completely engulfed in flames, and called 911. When the first engine arrived at scene, the ...

MARIPOSA – A Mariposa County resident is without a home after a fast-moving fire completely destroyed his house near the Mariposa Coffee Roasting Company last night. Firefighters were called out just after 7:30 p.m. to reports of a structure fire in the 2900 block of Highway 49 South. Within minutes, a Mariposa County Sheriff’s deputy arrived at scene and reported ...

NORTH FORK – Firefighters were dealing with temperatures in the low 20s and a deep blanket of snow last night as they responded to a house fire on Cascadel Lane. At about 10:30 p.m. on Monday, firefighters were called out to reports of a structure fire in Cascadel Woods just east of North Fork. A resident of the adjacent community ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Well into the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 17, storms continue to pound the area with heavy rain and wind in the foothills and snow in the higher country, with the potential for flash flooding in burn scar areas. Flash Flood Watch From 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16 through 10 p.m. Thursday evening.  Flash Flood Watch is in ...

NORTH FORK – Sierra National Forest (SNF) officials have announced the temporary closure of several trails in the Ferguson Fire burn area due to safety concerns with changing weather conditions. The closures include Hite’s Cove Trail, Savage Lundy Trail, and Hite’s Cove OHV Trail on the Bass Lake Ranger District (see map below). “The purpose of this Order is to ...

BASS LAKE – Three people were forced out into the cold in the early morning hours today as a fire destroyed their home at Bass Lake. Just after 2:30 a.m., firefighters were called out to a structure fire in the 39000 block of Duck just off Road 432 on the north shore of the lake. Cal Fire Engines 4255, 4275, ...