Monday, 27 July 2026, 22:50
A grass fire that ignited near La Grange and Fields roads in Merced County on Thursday afternoon, July 23, 2026, quickly expanded to 288 acres within hours, prompting an evacuation warning and road closures. By evening, the blaze had grown to 1,100 acres with 40% containment, according to CAL FIRE updates.
The Fields Fire started at approximately 1:46 p.m., spreading at a dangerous rate through light grass fuels. By 2:14 p.m., it had reached 200 acres, and by 3:48 p.m., CAL FIRE reported 90 personnel, 10 engines, two helicopters, two bulldozers, two fire crews, and one water tender on scene. Air tankers conducted suppression missions as conditions allowed. A steady stream of air and ground resources responded from Columbia Air Attack base. The incident commander requested four additional engines and two additional water tenders early on, and later requested 10 more engines and four more crews as the fire grew. By 5:03 p.m., the fire had reached 290 acres.
Overnight, the fire grew to 1,280 acres, and by Friday morning containment increased to 50%.
By Friday afternoon, the number of firefighters had increased to 169 as the fire flared up again, and containment remained at 50%. One firefighter was injured; no further details were released. The cause of the fire is now under investigation. Fire officials indicated that crews would continue working through the day to strengthen fire lines and increase containment. CAL FIRE reported that 20 structures are threatened by the fire. Power was restored to all previously impacted residents.
By Saturday, July 25, the number of firefighters was reported at 131 as containment increased to 60%.
On Sunday, July 26, Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke announced that all evacuation warnings were lifted effective at noon. CAL FIRE reported that containment had increased to 80%, with 131 firefighters continuing their work. Merced Falls Road from La Grange to Hornitos Road reopened to traffic. Power remained restored to all previously impacted residents.
Sheriff Vern Warnke issued an evacuation warning for the area along Merced Falls Road from Henderson Park to the Bait Bucket tackle shop at 6710 Merced Falls Road. The temporary evacuation point was initially Snelling Elementary School, later changed to 15841 N Highway 59, Snelling. Residents were advised to gather important documents, medications, device chargers, and animals. The warning was lifted at 8:47 p.m. La Grange Road was closed from Merced Falls to Fields Road initially; later, the only remaining closure was on Snelling Road from La Grange Road to Hornitos Road. Additionally, Merced Falls Road was closed from La Grange Road east to the county line.
On Friday, July 24, the situation escalated as new evacuation orders were issued. The Merced County Sheriff's Office stated that 15 residents were impacted by the fire from the 5800 block of Merced Falls Road to the county line, west of the Kelsey Reservoir. Deputies went door to door to help evacuate residents. An emergency shelter was established at the First Baptist Church of Snelling on Highway 59 near Montgomery Street. As of Friday morning, evacuation orders remain in place for that area.
On Saturday, July 25, Sheriff Vern Warnke downgraded the mandatory evacuation orders, allowing residents to return to their homes. The evacuation center at Snelling Elementary School remained open for those who needed it. By Saturday afternoon, containment had increased to 60%, with 131 firefighters continuing work. Merced Falls Road remained closed from La Grange to Hornitos Road, while other previously closed roads reopened.
On Sunday, July 26, Sheriff Vern Warnke lifted all remaining evacuation warnings effective at noon. Residents were permitted to return to their homes, and Merced Falls Road from La Grange to Hornitos Road was reopened.
Merced County, located in California's Central Valley, is prone to fast-spreading grass fires during dry summer months. The fire threatened rural areas near Snelling, a small community east of Merced. The temporary evacuation point at Snelling Elementary School served local residents, many of whom may have livestock or pets requiring special attention during evacuations.
Merced County has experienced several large wildfires in recent years, including the 2020 Creek Fire and 2021 wildfires that burned thousands of acres in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The Fields Fire's rapid growth underscores the ongoing wildfire risk in California's grasslands, especially during heat waves and drought conditions.
Firefighters made significant progress on the Fields Fire, achieving 50% containment by Friday morning and 60% by Saturday. One firefighter was injured, and 20 structures are threatened. By Saturday, July 25, evacuation orders were downgraded and residents allowed to return, with 131 firefighters continuing to monitor the fire. On Sunday, July 26, all evacuation warnings were lifted and containment reached 80%, with Merced Falls Road reopened. For real-time updates, check the Merced County Sheriff's Office and CAL FIRE incident page.
