CLOVIS  — The Sierra National Forest (SNF) is requesting public input for the California 2019 State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program application cycle. Each year the State of California makes funding available through the OHMVR Grants Program. This program provides financial assistance to eligible agencies and organizations (federal, city, county, nonprofit, etc.) who develop, maintain, ...

CLOVIS – The Sierra National Forest Bass Lake and High Sierra Ranger Districts have lifted Forest Order #05-15-18-14 Fire Restrictions, effective Oct. 22. Campfire permits are required on the Sierra National Forest for the use of campfires, charcoal fires or portable gas stoves outside of a designated recreation area even when there are no “fire restrictions” in place. These permits ...

NORTH FORK –Residents and visitors on the Bass Lake Ranger District may see smoke in the coming months as Sierra National Forest fire managers implement their 2018/2019 fall/winter/spring burning program. The projects will consist of two activities: pile burning and understory burning. These burn projects are widely dispersed throughout the Ranger District, with many located at the higher elevations. Some ...

NORTH FORK – Sierra National Forest Officials have announced the temporary seasonal closures for campgrounds and picnic areas along the Merced River, Highway 140 corridor. The locations scheduled for closure will include four picnic areas – McClendon Beach, Indian Flat, Red Bud, and Cranberry Launch – and two campgrounds – Dirt Flat and Dry Gulch. These locations are being closed ...

VALLEJO — U.S. Forest Service investigators have determined the cause of the Ferguson Fire to be vehicle-related. Specifically, investigators believe superheated pieces of a catalytic converter came into contact with dry, roadside vegetation, igniting the fire. The Ferguson Fire started on the evening of Friday, July 13, along eastbound Highway 140 near Savage Trading Post at 8:30 p.m. (South Fork ...

PRATHER – Residents in Eastern Madera County may see smoke from prescribed burning over the next few months as the High Sierra Ranger District implements their fall/winter prescribed burn program, set to be completed before the end of the year as cooler weather and moisture arrives across the area. Fire activity throughout the state and across the country has moderated, ...

NORTH FORK – A vehicle fire on Douglas Ranger Station Road spread into the vegetation, forcing the closure of the road this afternoon. At 5 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to reports of a truck on fire on Douglas Ranger Station near Trails End Road. Cal Fire, Sierra National Forest and Madera County Fire resources were dispatched, along with air tankers ...

NORTH FORK – The Redinger Fire, burning along Mammoth Pool Road (Forest Road 4S81) east of North Fork, is now 100 percent contained at 170 acres. Today, the Redinger Fire showed some activity, but no further gains in acreage. Fire crews finished securing the perimeter with handline and dozer line, using Forest Road 4S81 and natural features as as part ...

CLOVIS – Today marks the one-year anniversary of the Railroad Fire that burned last year on the Sierra National Forest (SNF) north of Oakhurst. The Railroad Fire, which began on Aug. 29, 2017, along Highway 41 between Sugar Pine and Fish Camp, threatened the communities in the area, closed down the highway for 11 days, and burned into the Historic ...

NORTH FORK – Crews have made excellent progress on containing the Redinger Fire and the Castle Fire, both burning along Mammoth Pool Road (Forest Road 4S81) east of North Fork. The Redinger Fire is holding at 170 acres and is now 50 percent contained. The Castle Fire had fireline and hose lay around it within hours of crews arriving at ...