Monday, 27 July 2026, 22:52
The Fields Fire, burning in the Snelling area of Merced County, has expanded to 1,280 acres with 80% containment as of Sunday. The blaze started at approximately 1:46 p.m. Thursday and spread rapidly through dry grass. It is located along La Grange Road/Hwy 59 and Fields Road, near the Tuolumne and Mariposa County lines. By Thursday evening, the fire had grown to 290 acres, then to 700 acres with 20% containment by 8:07 p.m. Initial firefighting resources included 26 engines, 3 helicopters, 2 dozers, 4 water tenders, 6 hand crews, and 131 total personnel. Aircraft from Columbia and local firefighters have been actively battling the fire, with a steady stream of air and ground resources responding from the Columbia Air Attack base yesterday afternoon. Air tankers from across the state have also conducted fire suppression missions as conditions allowed. Planes have been observed flying over Jamestown in Tuolumne County this afternoon and into the evening.
By Friday morning, the fire was reported at 1,100 acres and 40% containment. A new evacuation order was issued at 2:49 p.m. Friday. The reported size increased to 1,180 acres Friday evening and reached 1,280 acres by Saturday morning. CAL FIRE reports that one firefighter has been injured and 20 structures are threatened, though no structures have been damaged or destroyed and no civilian injuries or fatalities have been reported.
After an evacuation warning was lifted Thursday evening, a new evacuation order was issued at 2:49 p.m. Friday due to increased fire activity. The order covered the area from the 5800 block of Merced Falls Road to Hornitos Road, west of Kelsey Reservoir, affecting approximately 15 residents. Deputies went door to door to assist with evacuations.
On Saturday at 12:11 p.m., the evacuation order was reduced to an evacuation warning. As of Sunday noon, all evacuation warnings have been lifted and residents can return to their homes.
An emergency shelter has been established at the First Baptist Church of Snelling, located at 15841 N. Highway 59 near Montgomery Street. Merced Falls Road has been reopened from La Grange Road to Hornitos Road. Snelling Road remains closed from La Grange Road to Hornitos Road. The earlier evacuation warning, issued Thursday at 4 p.m. for the area along Merced Falls Road from Henderson Park to the Bait Bucket tackle shop, was lifted at 8:40 p.m. Thursday. Power has been restored to all residents previously affected by outages. CAL FIRE reports one confirmed firefighter injury, but no civilian injuries or fatalities have been reported, and no structures have been damaged or destroyed.
Firefighting resources as of Saturday included 18 engines, 2 bulldozers, 3 water tenders, 5 hand crews, 11 other apparatus, and a total of 169 personnel. Aircraft from Columbia and air tankers from throughout California have conducted suppression missions as conditions allowed. Earlier requests for additional resources included 10 engines and 4 crews requested at 4:15 p.m. on Friday, and earlier 4 engines and 2 water tenders. Crews are working to gain more containment.
The fire's proximity to Tuolumne and Mariposa counties has direct impacts on communities like Jamestown, where planes have been visible. The smoke and aircraft activity are likely to affect residents in the region, and the closure of Snelling Road may disrupt local travel.
Wildfires are a recurring threat in California, particularly during dry summer months. The Fields Fire adds to the state's ongoing fire season, which has seen numerous blazes fueled by drought conditions and high temperatures. The Snelling area, primarily agricultural, is vulnerable to fast-spreading grass fires.
As the Fields Fire continues to burn with 80% containment, all evacuation warnings have been lifted and residents can return home. Residents should remain aware of the situation and check with Merced County emergency services for updates.
