COARSEGOLD — As evacuations continue for the Detwiler Fire burning in Mariposa County, volunteers and disaster relief experts are busy housing people, pets and livestock, while businesses and individuals are stepping up to make donations of feed for the four-leggers. The Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds has upwards of 40 horses right now, and continues to accept horses that have been evacuated, ...

MARIPOSA — This morning, the Central California Animal Disaster Team has been deployed to activate a small animal shelter at the Mariposa Elementary School for residents evacuated due to the Detwiler Fire, according to the organization’s Naomi Flam. Mariposa Elementary School is located at 5044 Jones Street in Mariposa. If residents need assistance with animal evacuation or large animal sheltering, please ...

CENTRAL SIERRA – In light of the disastrous tree mortality, the profusion of vegetation (fuel!) after the winter rains, and the large number of fires already this season, it is imperative for all people who live or work in Madera and Mariposa Counties – especially those in the foothills – to register or update their information for emergency contact. Madera ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — The forward progress of the Westfall Fire, burning in the Lush Meadows area of Mariposa County, has been stopped. All evacuations have been lifted in the fire area, though the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office reports there is no power. The fire was reported just after 2:30 p.m. today, burning on the south side of Westfall Road, but ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — Firefighters are at scene of a vegetation fire burning in the Lush Meadows area on East Westfall Road near Oliver Creek Road, with power lines down. The fire was dispatched just after 2:30 p.m., and the first engine at scene reported the fire — described as actually three separate fires — at a total of one to ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — Cal Fire has made a correction to the estimated acreage of the Ben Fire, burning near Ben Hur Road and Buckeye in Mariposa County. The fire is now reported at about 400 acres with 10 percent containment. There are currently 33 engines, 6 crews, 4 dozers, 4 water tenders, 3 air tanker and 3 helicopters assigned to ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — Firefighters were called out to reports of a vegetation fire in the Bootjack area, near the 3500 block of Rocky Hollow Lane. The fire was reported at about 2:32 p.m. Nine engines from Cal Fire and Mariposa County Fire, two dozers and two ground crews were dispatched, along with Air Attack, two air tankers and a helicopter. ...

FISH CAMP — While erosion control measures were compromised following heavy rain in the days after Highway 41 was reopened to traffic en route to Yosemite National Park, Caltrans says the road itself remains safe. The roadway just south of the snow play area on Highway 41 suffered collapse and failure requiring closure in late February, and reopened on Mar. 12 ...

Written by Dale Silverman — COULTERVILLE — Spring has just arrived, and CoyoteFest on Sept. 23 seems far away, but for hand-crafters and cottage industry entrepreneurs looking for places to exhibit their wares, now is the time to plan where you will be in the fall! The coyotefest.org website’s 2017 online exhibitor registration is open and ready for you to ...

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA — The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a Flash Flood Watch for a wide area of the central and southern Sierra from 4 a.m. today through 4 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. A strong and moist Pacific storm will bring widespread rain to much of the area Friday. Periods of moderate to heavy rain will lead ...