Merced County

09/05/2026

Road Work Update:

Road crews are making progress on the Cox Ferry Road refurbishment project, improving 3 miles of roadway from Turlock Road to Keyes Road, west of Snelling.

Crews are also beginning work on the next scheduled project: 2.1 miles of Buhach Road from Highway 140 to SP Avenue in the McSwain area.

These projects are part of a nearly 29-mile investment in county-maintained roads, funded through a combination of Senate Bill 1, Measure V, and bonds that leverage future road revenue resources.

Construction activities will include roadway preparation, conform grinding, paving, shoulder work, and adjustment of utility covers and survey monuments.

Motorists should expect temporary traffic controls, lane closures, reduced speeds and possible delays within active construction areas. Roads are generally expected to remain open during construction, but impacts will vary depending on the work being performed.

The County encourages motorists to plan ahead, allow additional travel time and use caution when traveling through construction zones.

For project updates and information about planned and emergency road closures, visit www.countyofmerced.com/roadclosures.

09/04/2026

All offices at the Merced County Administration Building will be closed Monday, September 7, 2026, in recognition of Labor Day.

Regular business hours will resume for all offices on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. We thank you in advance for your patience during this closure.

09/03/2026

Yesterday, Sept. 2, Merced County had the opportunity to welcome NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to Castle Commerce Center and Castle Air Museum.

County and museum leadership greeted Administrator Isaacman on the tarmac before accompanying him on a short tour of Castle Air Museum, which was highlighted by a special flyover.

During his visit, Administrator Isaacman met with local leaders, UC Merced STEM students, and others to discuss the future of aeronautics and space exploration.

08/31/2026

Do you want to know more about the services that keep your community healthy and thriving?

Watch the newest installment of our "Get to Know Your County" series, featuring the Public Health department. We're giving you an inside look at how your Public Health services work for you and introducing you to the team dedicated to community well-being.

In this video, you'll learn about:
• Preventative care and vaccination programs
• Community outreach and health education
• How to access critical services

Navigating Public Health just got a whole lot easier!

Watch the full video here:
https://vimeo.com/1221824906?share=copy&fl=cl&fe=ci

08/28/2026

Tire Fire Update:

The Merced County Department of Public Health is downgrading the previous alert to a health advisory to ensure residents understand the continued smoke impacts and know how to protect their health.

Continued progress has been made in mitigating the Ballico Tire Fire, with significantly less smoke detectable throughout Merced County since the fire started on August 24. Fire suppression efforts are likely to extend into the weekend. Overall air quality has also improved, prompting the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution District to lift its Air Quality Alert on August 27.

Read more: https://conta.cc/4gX6EVk

08/28/2026

Update: Tire Fire in Ballico

Crews are making significant progress on the Tire Fire in Ballico and are using all appropriate methods to keep the incident contained and controlled.

Due to the nature of this fire, it’s not as simple as spraying it with water. Fires involving large volumes of rubber can continue to smolder and produce smoke until the material has completely burned out. While the amount of smoke has reduced significantly, crews expect the fire could continue to smolder through the weekend and produce some residual smoke.

As a reminder, Merced County Cooling Zones are also operating as clean air centers and are supplied with N95 masks for anyone who would like one. Find a Cooling Zone near you at www.countyofmerced.com/coolingzones.

Although conditions have improved, residents in and around Ballico are encouraged to reduce outdoor activities, particularly if you smell smoke, and continue taking steps to limit exposure.

Continue to follow Merced County, Merced County Department of Public Health, and Valley Air District for any future updates pertaining to health alerts/air quality.

Thank you to the firefighters and emergency personnel who have been working around the clock to bring this incident under control.

08/27/2026

Update: The Tire Fire in Ballico continues to burn and will likely continue to produce smoke through the weekend. As a reminder, stay indoors when possible and run air conditioners/air purifiers if available. Cooling Zones are also operating as clean air centers and have N95 masks available: www.countyofmerced.com/coolingzones

Due to a large tire fire currently burning at a recycling center in the 13000 block of Newport Road in Ballico, the Merced County Department of Public Health has issued a Health Alert urging residents in the area and those affected by smoke to take precautions to reduce their exposure to potentially unhealthy air: https://conta.cc/3SV9npd

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

08/26/2026

Do you know an outstanding volunteer in Merced County? Nominate him or her for a volunteerism award! The application process is quick and easy: www.countyofmerced.com/volunteer.

The deadline to submit nominations is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Volunteer Recognition Program