The Creek Fire is well outside Yosemite National Park, but that's not stopping personnel from taking precautionary measures now. Rangers have closed the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias just in case the Creek Fire crosses into the park. And crews are taking extra fire protection precautions for critical infrastructure. The...
Deadly Wildfire Near Coalinga Is 100% Contained
The wildfire that claimed the life of a helicopter pilot south of Coalinga is 100% contained, Cal Fire officials said Monday night. The Hills Fire, which burned 2,121 acres, started on Aug. 15. Mike Fournier, 52, of Rancho Cucamonga, died Wednesday morning when his Bell UH-1H copter suddenly crashed into...
Tests Reveal Coronavirus in Yosemite National Park's Sewage
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — With no confirmed case of the coronavirus, Yosemite National Park appeared to be a safe haven from the pandemic. But tests of the park's raw sewage have confirmed the presence of the virus, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday, and dozens of people are believed to have been...
Yosemite Won't Reopen Some Campgrounds Amid Virus Concerns
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — Yosemite National Park is reversing course two weeks after reopening and now says it will hold off on reopening some campgrounds through July because of social distancing concerns in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. Officials began reopening some campgrounds earlier this month after being closed...
Yosemite Reopens Thursday. You’ll Need a Reservation to Get In.
Most of Yosemite National Park will reopen to visitors on Thursday, but most people will need to reserve a spot in advance to get in. Information posted on the park website Monday said only 1,700 vehicle passes will be issued each day and must be booked online. The number of reservations...
Valley’s Viral Video ‘Double Rainbow Guy’ Dies at 57
Paul L. Vasquez, a burly Mariposa mountain man whose awestruck reaction upon seeing a double rainbow propelled him to internet stardom and turned him into a folk hero, has died. He was 57. Vasquez, who called himself Yosemitebear on social media, died early Saturday at a hospital emergency room, the...
Yosemite Employees Evicted Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — An estimated 90 shuttle bus drivers and Yosemite National Park transportation workers who were laid off after the park closed to visitors in March are now facing eviction. The group of Yosemite Hospitality workers were told this week layoffs require them to leave Yosemite by May...
170 Sickened at Yosemite, Park Confirms 2 Cases of Norovirus
Yosemite National Park is investigating about 170 reports of gastrointestinal illnesses and has confirmed two cases of norovirus, officials said Thursday. The National Park Service began investigating after visitors and employees started reporting illnesses this month. Most cases occurred in early January. “We’ve had very few the last week or...
Stomach Illness Outbreak at Yosemite Prompts Major Clean-Up
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — Federal health officials are inspecting Yosemite National Park's food service areas after at least a dozen people have fallen ill with stomach issues. The National Park Service and the U.S. Public Health Service told the San Francisco Chronicle they launched an investigation after employees and visitors reported the...
Caltrans Closes 3 More Sierra Passes for Winter
Heavy snow has caused the California Department of Transportation to close several more passes through the Sierra Nevada for the winter. The closures implemented Monday are Sonora Pass on State Route 108, Monitor Pass on SR89, and Ebbetts Pass on SR4. Listen to this article: A winter closure for Tioga...