Fire History
Madera County's eastern terrain borders Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada crest. The 2020 Creek Fire (379,895 acres) burned extensively through the Sierra National Forest on Madera County's eastern side, impacting communities along Bass Lake, North Fork, and the San Joaquin River foothills. Earlier fires including the 2017 River Fire and 2020 Backbone Fire demonstrated ongoing risk throughout the county's foothill zone.
Local Compliance Notes
CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit serves unincorporated SRA areas. Communities along Bass Lake, North Fork, Oakhurst, and the Sierra foothills east of Madera face Zone Zero compliance obligations. Valley floor communities in Madera generally have limited FHSZ exposure. Contact CAL FIRE for Phase 2 timeline information.
Neighborhoods in Zone Zero
High-FHSZ communities in Madera County include Oakhurst, Bass Lake, North Fork, Coarsegold, Ahwahnee, Raymond, Bootjack, and communities along the Sierra foothills east of Highway 41.
Local FAQs
Are Bass Lake and Oakhurst communities subject to Zone Zero? Yes — these communities are in FHSZ areas near the Sierra Nevada. The Creek Fire caused significant evacuations in this area. Contact CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit for Phase 2 timeline information.