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 – 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 ...

NORTH FORK – A fire on Road 200 moved at an alarming rate through the dry grass on the east side of the road, but quick work by firefighters had it knocked down within minutes of their arrival. At 3:35 p.m., reports of a vegetation fire on Walker Grade prompted a full wildland response. A Madera County Fire engine was ...

CLOVIS —The Bass Lake and High Sierra Ranger Districts of the Sierra National Forest will be offering several opportunities this summer for people to learn about OHV use on the National Forest; how to safely recreate, protect the natural resources, and maximize the enjoyment of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation. Free educational material will be available, and there will be fun ...

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 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 ...