Mammoth Times

09/24/2025

09/22/2025

Test Alert for Southern Mono County Communities

On Thursday, September 25th at 10:00 a.m., the Mono County Office of Emergency Management will conduct a test of the emergency alert system.

This test will send an audible alert to all cell phones in the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Crowley Lake, Tom's Place, Paradise, Swall Meadows, Chalfant, and Benton. If you are signed up for Mono Alerts through Ready Mono, you will also receive a text message, phone call, or email.
This is a TEST ONLY, and no action is required on your part.

This test is a crucial step in ensuring our emergency systems are ready when they're needed most. If you live in the test area and do not receive the alert, please sign up for Ready Mono at ready.mono.ca.gov .

09/20/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office is working closely with Inyo County Search & Rescue and is currently looking for Billy Pierson, a resident of Seattle, Washington. On August 9, 2025, Billy was hiking in Southern California with a friend. After their hike, he separated from that friend and is believed to have headed toward Inyo County. He was later reported missing on September 10, 2025.
It is believed that Billy may have attempted to climb Temple Crag, but after an unsuccessful search and rescue operation spanning several days, he has not been located.
Additional information from family suggests he may have traveled to North Palisades, Mt. Sill, Thunderbolt Peak, or Mt. Agassiz.
Description:
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 165 lbs
Last known gear: Navy blue or light gray 60-liter pack, black and yellow Scarpa Crux approach shoes
Preferred hiking attire: Ball cap with a bandana underneath

If you have seen Billy or have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency dispatch line at 760-878-0383.

09/10/2025

Blinded by the light! This morning, Sept. 10, was the first time Mammoth has really seen the sun since this past Friday and the first time the color wheel moved out of the red-purple zone. It was great while it lasted but with the afternoon at hand, the Garnet Fire is already starting to amp up and send more smoke into the town, the views are disappearing and we are once again getting ready to hunker down. The fire is now at about 57,000 acres with about 15 percent containment. Forecasts indicate the smoke could lighten up over the next few days but... we were just out there and that strong southwest wind isn't making us too convinced of that. Light dustings of snow on Sierra peaks and freezing temps are in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow; if any of the heavy smoke around mixes with a light winter storm, it's going to get very surreal indeed. Be safe out there.