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 ...

MARIPOSA — The American Red Cross of the Central Valley has opened two additional shelters to further accommodate those evacuated by the Ferguson Fire. Red Cross is transitioning its sheltering operations from New Life Christian Fellowship in Bootjack, to Mariposa Elementary School and Mountain Christian Center in Oakhurst, effective Wednesday, July 25, to accommodate more evacuees. Red Cross is currently ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Residents on the north side of the community of Lushmeadows likely had their eyes on Kirby Peak throughout the night, and at 5 a.m., were notified it was time to evacuate as the Ferguson Fire spotted across containment lines on the south edge of the fire. The fire is now estimated at 38,522 acres and is 25 ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – As some residents on the south end of the Ferguson Fire were allowed to return home, visitors in Yosemite National Park were told to pack up and leave. Just after 1 p.m. today, park officials announced that Yosemite Valley and Wawona will close at noon tomorrow, July 25, to all visitors in all hotels and campgrounds due ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Firefighters made good progress on the Ferguson Fire overnight, holding the growth to just 485 acres. The fire is now estimated at 36,587 acres with 25 percent containment. Of the nearly 3,500 structures threatened over the 11 days since the fire started, just one nonresidential structure has been destroyed. No new evacuations have been ordered since Sunday ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – A heavy inversion layer kept fire activity at a fairly moderate level for crews on the Ferguson Fire today, despite the high temperatures. The fire is now estimated at 36,102 acres with 16 percent containment. One nonresidential structure has been destroyed, say fire officials, and nearly 3,500 more are threatened. No new evacuations were ordered today. There ...