Los Banos, CA (September 3, 2025) — The Moraga Fire, which ignited Tuesday afternoon near Los Banos, has been declared 100% contained, according to Cal Fire. The blaze scorched 315 acres before crews brought it under control late Tuesday night
The fire began near Moraga Avenue and Cherokee Road in Merced County. Early media reports suggested the fire may have been sparked by lightning strikes, part of a storm system that triggered several wildfires across Central California, including the Salt Fire near Coalinga and another blaze near New Melones Lake. However, Cal Fire’s official incident report continues to list the cause of the Moraga Fire as “under investigation.”
Thanks to a rapid and coordinated response from Cal Fire’s Madera–Mariposa–Merced Unit, no structures were lost and no injuries have been reported. Evacuation orders and road closures that were initially issued in parts of Madera and Merced counties have since been lifted. Crews remain in the area to monitor for hotspots and ensure flare-ups do not occur.
The Moraga Fire highlights the heightened wildfire risk facing the Central Valley during late-summer lightning storms, which can ignite multiple fires simultaneously in dry conditions.
