MARIPOSA COUNTY — The firefighter who was killed today on the Ferguson Fire today has been identified as Brian Hughes, 33, Captain of the Arrowhead Interagency Hot Shots. The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed this morning that, while battling the Ferguson Fire on the Sierra National Forest, Hughes was fatally injured. Hughes was originally from Hilo, Hawaii, and had been ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Firefighters had a productive night on the lines as they completed firing operations in several sections of the Ferguson Fire. The fire is now estimated at 53,646 acres with 30 percent containment. Conditions allowed crews to complete firing below Yosemite West from Henness Ridge, southeast to Highway 41 (Wawona Road). North of Ponderosa Basin, the predicted squirrely ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Firefighters had a productive day on the lines as they conducted firing operations on three sides of the fire. The fire is now estimated at 51,671 and is 30 percent contained. The inversion was very heavy this morning, creating extremely smoky conditions in Mariposa, Oakhurst and many other surrounding communities. The dense smoke once again delayed air ...

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 ...