Prather resident Craig Tolmie is the new chief deputy director for Cal Fire. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tolmie's appointment last Friday. Tolmie, 50, has been the assistant region chief at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, Southern Region since 2015. Listen to this article: Fire Protection, Forest Management...
Briceburg Fire 75% Contained, All Roads Are Open
The Briceburg Fire near Yosemite National Park is 75% contained and all roads are open following a weekend of wildfire suppression, Cal Fire officials said Monday morning. However, Buffalo Gulch Road is open to residents only. No Injuries, One Structure Lost There have been no injuries suffered in the fire,...
Mandatory Evacuations Lifted on Briceburg Fire
With firefighters gaining control of the Briceburg Fire, Cal Fire and the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office lifted mandatory evacuation orders and fire advisements at 1 p.m. Friday. However, Highway 140 is closed from 15 miles east of Mariposa at the top of Briceburg Grade to Savages Trading Post. Officials advise...
Favorable Weather Helps Crews Battling Briceburg Fire
Firefighters working throughout the night limited the spread of the Briceburg Fire near Yosemite National Park, Cal Fire officials said Friday morning. Listen to this article: The wildfire now covers 4,905 acres and is 30% contained, officials said. In addition to the diligent work of the fire crews, "recent...
Beefed-up Crews Now Have Briceburg Fire 25% Contained
Bolstered by more crews and aerial assistance, firefighters now have 25% containment of the Briceburg Fire, Cal Fire officials said Thursday morning. Nearly 1,400 personnel are battling the wildfire near Yosemite National Park, which has spread to 4,900 acres. In addition, eight air tankers and nine helicopters are involved in...
4 Firefighters Hurt in Crash on Tulare County Road
PORTERVILLE — Authorities say four Cal Fire firefighters from San Diego were injured when a fire engine crashed and overturned on a rural road in central California. ABC30 reported Wednesday that the engine was heading back to Southern California after helping with a wildfire in Tulare County when the single-vehicle crash...
Fast-Moving Northern California Wildfire Forces Evacuations
REDDING — A fast-moving wildfire in Northern California is threatening thousands of homes and forcing evacuations. The fire in Shasta County started around noon Thursday in a rural area northwest of Redding about 200 miles north of San Francisco. Cal Fire Capt. Robert Foxworthy says the blaze quickly spread to...
Services Set for Fresno County Firefighter Killed in Crash
Funeral services in Clovis have been scheduled for a Cal Fire firefighter who died in a car crash in Merced County. A celebration of life is set for Monday, June 17, for Stacy Hamilton, a Fresno County resident and Cal Fire captain. He was 49. The service will be held...
Fresno County Firefighter Dies in Car Crash Near Merced
MERCED — The California Highway Patrol says a Cal Fire firefighter died in a car crash in Merced County. Hamilton's Car Overturned in a Remote Area California Highway Patrol Officer Eric Zuniga tells the Merced Sun Star that Capt. Stacy Hamilton was traveling alone early Saturday. His 2004 Subaru Outback...
Millions Live in Parts of California Threatened by Wildfires
SACRAMENTO — Impoverished towns in the shadow of Mount Shasta. Rustic Gold Rush cities in the Sierra Nevada foothills. High-dollar resort communities on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Ritzy Los Angeles County suburbs. They all could be the next Paradise. A McClatchy analysis reveals more than 350,000 Californians live in towns...