Mariposa County resident John “Jack” Welch has agreed to pay $950,000 to settle a claim against him by the federal government for damages resulting from a 2016 wildfire that burned nearly 100 acres of national forest land, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced Monday. According to the settlement, federal...
Hotels, Motels in Mariposa and Tulare Counties Being Turned Into Homeless Housing
Governor Gavin Newsom announced another round of 'Project Homekey' funds Monday afternoon. Mariposa and Tulare Counties were among the counties awarded. The governor also announced he has asked the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to approve his request for an additional $200 million in coronavirus relief funding for Project Homekey. Building...
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...
Briceburg Fire Grows to 800 Acres, Is 10% Contained
Six air tankers, three helicopters, and 35 crews are battling the Briceburg Fire near Yosemite National Park, CalFire reported Tuesday. The wildfire, which began at 2:34 p.m. Sunday near Highway 140 and the Briceburg Road bridge, has grown to 800 acres. According to CalFire, it was 10% contained on Tuesday morning....
Israeli Teen Falls to Death in Yosemite National Park
SAN FRANCISCO — An Israeli teenager visiting Yosemite National Park in California fell hundreds of feet to his death while hiking near the top of an iconic waterfall. The Mariposa County coroner's office said 18-year-old Tomer Frankfurter of Jerusalem was near the top of Nevada Fall when he fell. Assistant...
ABC30: Ferguson Fire Smoke Will Force Yosemite Valley Closure
The more than 3,300 personnel battling the deadly Ferguson Fire west of Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County are starting to get a bigger handle on the 37,000-acre blaze, which is in its 12th day. The fire's commanders reported 25% containment Tuesday morning. The fire is burning in very rough...
2,700 Firefighters Battle Growing Ferguson Fire Near Yosemite
MARIPOSA — A wildfire in the Sierra Nevada just west of Yosemite National Park expanded to nearly 36 square miles Friday. More than 2,700 firefighters aided by a fleet of helicopters were battling the Ferguson Fire but only 7 percent of its perimeter was contained. Ground crews dealt with high...