Incident Alert: Slippery Conditions on SR-41 in Fish Camp 

December 28, 2025 – Oakhurst CHP officials report that on Saturday, CHP units responded to a solo vehicle crash on SR-41 near Fish Camp. A pickup truck traveling through the area encountered a patch of ice, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to overturn.

While it was an unexpected ride for the driver involved, we are grateful to report that no major injuries were sustained. However, this incident serves as a critical reminder that winter driving conditions are officially here.

Safety Brief: The “Freezing” Myth

Drivers in our area often rely on their vehicle’s external thermometer, but that can be a dangerous mistake in the mountains.

• Air Temp vs. Road Temp: Just because your dashboard reads 34°F or 36°F does not mean the roadway is clear. Asphalt retains cold, and in high-elevation areas like Fish Camp, the ground temperature can remain well below freezing even as the air warms up.
• Shadow Patches: Areas of SR-41 shaded by heavy timber or rock faces rarely see direct sunlight. Ice in these “cold spots” can persist throughout the day, long after the rest of the highway has dried.
• Bridges and Overpasses: These surfaces freeze first because they lack the thermal insulation of the earth underneath them.

Driving Tip: If you see “wet” looking pavement in freezing temperatures and you don’t see water spray from the tires of the vehicle ahead of you, assume it is ice. Reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and avoid abrupt steering inputs.

Stay safe, stay alert, and please slowdown in the shadows.

Source & photos: Oakhurst CHP