High-Country Health Food and Cafe in Mariposa California

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'Click' for More Info: 'Chocolate Soup', Fine Home Accessories and Gifts, Located in Mariposa, California
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'Click' Here to Visit Happy Burger Diner in Mariposa... "We have FREE Wi-Fi, we're Eco-Friendly & have the Largest Menu in the Sierra"
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'Click' for More Info: Inter-County Title Company Located in Mariposa, California

September 23, 2014 - Sheriff John Anderson, Director of the Madera County Office of Emergency Services, says he is not only grateful to the countless emergency responders who risked life and limb for the citizens of Oakhurst and Bass Lake Heights, but the citizens and business owners of Eastern Madera County as well.

oakhurst-courtney-fire-coupleSo many lives tragically altered forever after two fierce wildfires swept through Eastern Madera County this summer. Some experienced minimal damage, while others suffered total devastation and loss. 

When Madera County Sheriff’s Office personnel escorted evacuees into areas hardest hit by the #CourtneyFire, the day was a somber one. One resident, en route to her home in Bass Lake Heights, recalled memories of the Harlow fire. She, like her fellow passengers, braced for the worst. When they arrived, they saw their homes were still standing. No sooner had each breathed a sigh of relief, than they asked, how can we help those who lost everything.

That’s Madera County.

Once the smoke had cleared and CAL Fire announced the Courtney Fire was fully contained, one emergency responder pointed out, now the real work begins –recovery.

And, in true Madera County style and spirit, the outpour of camaraderie, and humanitarian aid, has been incredible. In many ways, the destruction has made us all realize just how fragile our community is, and how these disasters have made us stronger than ever.

Following the fire and evacuations, fundraisers held last Friday night were in many ways a celebration of resilience. Two fires, that threatened to wipe out and destroy our community failed. 

The next morning, hundreds poured into the fire ravaged area, to help those in need. Business owners, and citizens alike, stepped up, offering help any way they could. 

Sheriff Anderson wants to thank the following emergency responders, community partners, and business owners, who worked around the clock to help their fellow neighbors, who stood in harm’s way: 

• CAL FIRE
• USFS
• CAL OES
• Madera County Fire Department
• Madera County Sheriff’s Office
• PG&E
• Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office
• American Red Cross
• Sierra Telephone
• CHP
• PG&E
• Hillview Water District
• Oakhurst Community Center
• North Fork Community Center
• Coarsegold Community Center
• Madera County Search & Rescue
• Madera County Sheriff’s Citizen on Patrol Volunteers
• Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds
• Central California Animal Disaster Team
• Yosemite Lakes Community Church
• Fresno Assoc. of realtors
• Me-n-Eds Pizza
• Round Table Pizza
• Gold Mine Pizza
• Star Bucks 
• Chukchansi Casino
• Tzi Chi Foundation 
• Oakhurst Cleaners 
• Oakhurst Senior Center
• Madera Behavioral Health 
• Madera County Health Services
• Madera County Food Bank
• Manna House
• RV for Less
• Sierra –Tel
• Madera County Tax Assessors Office 
• Yosemite School District
• Oakhurst Feed and Pet Supply 
• Courtney Fire 
• True Value
• H&L Lumber
• Pepsi / Frito Lay
• Raley’s
• Vons
• CVS
• Sullivan’s Tire Pros
• Mountain Community Women
• Yosemite New Life Church 
• EMADCO Disposal Services
• Met Cinema
• Grocery Discount
• Calif. Sun Gold
• Diccicos
• Mountain Mike and Cream
• Yosemite New Life Nazarene
• Sierra Suds
• Millers Landing Resort
• Coarsegold Health 
• Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church
• Seventh-Day Adventist Church
• Oakhurst Lutheran Church
• Saint Raphael’s Church
• Oakhurst EV Free Church
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
• Community Methodist Church
• New Community United Methodist Church 
• OKA Japanese Restaurant 
• State Farm Ins
• Farmers Ins
• Serv Pro
• New Horizon Ins. 
• Kraft and Lee Ins.
• Ray Fisher Medical Supplies
• North Fork Indian Reservation (Mono Indians)
• Girl Scouts Troop
• Cal Terra ( California Tribal Emergency Response & Relief Agency)
• Cornerstone Counseling 
• Palm Memorial Sierra Chapel
• Oakhurst Elementary School 
• Oakhurst Vet Hospital
• Advance Building Maintenance 
• Ca. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
• Christian Aid Ministries
• Barbara Kelly Family Dental
• Mike Iron house BBQ
• Bass Lake Reality
• Oakhurst Sierra Rotary
• Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce
• Finebilt Construction
• Burger King
• The Forks Restaurant
• Senior Bus
• Yosemite Medical
• Coarsegold Village RX 
• Mountain Resale

20 private homeowners offered home rentals, trailers, and rooms for residents wholost everything.

51 individuals from local organizations were part of the clean-up teams, who helped residents following the Courtney disaster. 

On a side note, just days before the first fire, Junction Fire, broke out, a dozen volunteers from the Madera County Department of Corrections cleared and readied Camp Pacifica, which serves children with disabilities. The 12-man crew cleared brush, and cut fire lines around the facilities at that site. 

Because of their work, CAL Fire informed them just recently, Camp Pacifica was not only spared during the Junction Fire, it survived the Courtney Fire as well.

Whether you are victim, or volunteer … to everyone who had a stake in this disaster, you showed immense courage and strength, proving we can survive, and Madera County can endure. 

The couple and their Great Dane, in the attached picture say they lost everything in the fire, except each other.

For those still in need of recovery assistance, please call the American Red Cross at 559-455-1000, and ask for Disaster Services.