Mariposa — With a burn suspension currently in effect, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) would like to clarify guidelines regarding the use of wood stoves and other indoor heating sources. While the burn suspension restricts outdoor burning activities, such as debris burning and campfires, it does not extend to wood stoves or fireplaces used for ...

MARIPOSA—The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Madera-Mariposa—Merced Unit will conduct a prescribed burn during the week of November 4, when weather permits. Burning will take place on the Grupe Ranch, located on Oak Grove Road near Stripped Rock Creek. The burn will consist of burning 307 acres of annual grass, oak woodland, and sparse brush. It will ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES—The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect until 5 p.m. Saturday, October 19th. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring or will shortly occur. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. AFFECTED AREA Fire weather ...

SACRAMENTO – Firefighters who risk their lives on the frontlines of California’s biggest and most destructive wildfires are endorsing a YES vote on Prop 4. The initiative will be on the November ballot. It would invest $10B to prevent wildfires, provide clean drinking water, and protect California’s natural beauty. “Recent California wildfires have burned two million acres, released toxic smoke ...

COARSEGOLD–Air and ground firefighters are responding to a structure fire that has spread to the vegetation  in the area of the 64000 block of Road 417. The fire is 15-20 acres with multiple structures threatened. The potential is for 500 acres. This is the Coarsegold Fire. We will update this article when more information is available. Update 4:30 PM The ...

OAKHURST— CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Investigators, in conjunction with the Madera County Sheriff’s Department and Madera County District Attorney’s Office, have arrested Pao Xiong. Xiong was arrested for igniting approximately 14 separate fires, including multiple structures that occurred on Deadwood Mountain in Oakhurst, CA. The fires occurred on Friday, July 19, 2024, beginning at approximately 10:43 PM. For more details ...

OAKHURST— CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers are currently investigating the Lookout fire that occurred on Deadwood Mountain in Oakhurst, CA. The fire happened on Friday, July 19, 2024, at approximately 10:43 PM. The cause Of the fire is currently under investigation by CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers and Madera County Sheriffs Department. On Saturday, August 3, 2024, and Monday, August ...

AHWAHNEE––  The University of California Cooperative Extension and Yosemite Gateway Prescribed Burn Cooperative are offering a free workshop covering defensible space, zone zero home hardening, evacuation preparedness, and local fire preparedness resources in Ahwahnee, CA. Representatives from CAL FIRE will be discussing what actions can be taken to make homes more fire resilient, including landscaping, building materials, and inexpensive modifications ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY–Early afternoon yesterday, Tuesday, July 30th, air and ground firefighters were dispatched to a new wildfire in the Don Pedro area. The fire was found to be 15 to 20 acres burning at a moderate rate of spread and threatening structures.  It had started near the west end of Piney Creek Road. It became the Pedro Fire. Evacuations were ...

O’NEALS–Air and ground firefighters are responding to a vegetation fire in the area of Road 200 and Circle J Ranch. The fire is reported to be 10 acres burning at a critical rate of spread with structures involved. This will be the Circle Fire. We will update this article when more information is available. Wednesday, July 24th Update 9:00 am ...