MARIPOSA COUNTY – Firefighters from across the region continue to battle the Ferguson Fire, which grew nearly 3,000 acres overnight and is now estimated at 49,619 acres. It is 29 percent contained. Swirling, late afternoon winds southwest of El Portal spotted the fire across the lines yesterday. Firefighters were not able to reach that spot as of shift change this ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – As crews continue their work to prepare the west side of Yosemite National Park for the approach of the Ferguson Fire, park officials have announced that the reopening of Yosemite Valley has been delay until 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, and then with limited services (see details below). Yosemite Valley has been closed since July 25 ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — In case you weren’t able to purchase and install new water-saving appliances in time for the July 2018 rebate deadline, there is good news, say folks at the local conservation district. The grant funding the Countywide Water Efficiency Rebates has been extended for one year through July 2019. All Mariposa County residents and all customers of Lake ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – While weather conditions were conducive around much of the Ferguson Fire for crews to shore up and expand containment lines, an evening wind shift posed a potential challenge to an already challenging section of the fire. By morning, officials reported a 1,688-acre growth in the fire overnight to a total of 45,911 acres as of 6 a.m. ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Firefighters battled both the fire and the heat today as temperatures climbed toward the 100 degree mark in the canyons across the Ferguson Fire, now estimated at 44,223 acres, still with 27 percent containment. Crews took advantage of calm winds and hazy skies from a persistent inversion layer to widen containment lines through tactical firing operations. As ...

MARIPOSA – Smoke from the Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County and other fires surrounding the Valley is affecting air quality in locations throughout the entire San Joaquin Valley, prompting local air pollution officials to issue a health cautionary statement Valley-wide. Smoke from wildfires produces particulate matter which can trigger asthma attacks, aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases, and increase the ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Firefighters are now in their thirteenth day of battle with the Ferguson Fire which grew by 1,723 acres overnight. The fire is now estimated at 43,299 acres, with 27 percent containment. Firefighters and bulldozers worked through the night improving and expanding containment lines, particularly near Magoon Creek in the Kirby Peak area north of Lushmeadows, to isolate ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Once again a day on the Ferguson Fire was one of contrasts as some residents were allowed to return home and others were evacuated. The fire grew to 41,576 acres, with much of the push on the southern perimeter. The fire is 26 percent contained. Overnight, there were multiple spot fires across the dozer line above Lushmeadows ...

MARIPOSA — Two members of Mariposa County Bootjack 49ers 4H club are siblings Robyn and Nina Sharrar, who are new to the program and are very busy raising birds for the Mariposa County Fair, scheduled for Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, 2018 at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds. From Robyn: My name is Robyn Sharrar. I am new to 4-H this ...

MARIPOSA — The halfway point of the free Summer Concert Series, Music on the Green — brought to you by The Mariposa Co. Arts Council and its many fine sponsors — at The Art Park in historic downtown Mariposa, features two perennial staples of the series: the powerful electric Blues of Soul Galaxy on Friday, July 27, and the Reggae/Jam ...