Madre Fire in California explodes to more than 52,000 acres in 1 day
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, JUL 4 – The Madre Fire, driven by hot, dry conditions and gusty winds, has threatened 50 structures and is only 5% contained, with over 300 firefighters battling the blaze, officials said.
- Firefighters battled the Madre Fire in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, which expanded to over 52,000 acres by Thursday, July 3, 2025.
- The fire ignited Wednesday early afternoon within the Los Padres National Forest and expanded quickly, driven by hot, dry conditions and shifting wind patterns.
- Evacuation orders and warnings affected areas near Highway 166 and Santa Barbara County, as crews achieved only 5% containment amid challenging terrain and winds.
- Meteorologist Ryan Kittell noted gusts could reach 40 mph late Thursday, while Dan Turner said the fire burns until winds stop and that safety remains the priority.
- The fire remains active with significant damage risk, highlighting ongoing wildfire threats in California during the current season and prompting expanded resource deployment.
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California’s biggest wildfire of the year rips through 52,000 acres, leads to forced evacuations
The fire, which erupted on Wednesday in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, has already burned over 82 square miles (212 sq km) of dry grasslands, officials stated on Thursday evening.
State’s Largest Wildfire This Year Prompts Evacuations, Governor Attempts To Blame President Trump
A vicious wildfire in California has quickly grown to nearly 80,000 acres and became the largest in the state so far this year. The Madre Fire started Wednesday afternoon in San Luis Obispo County and spread to 79,630 acres. Cal Fire said the blaze is 10% contained. Gov. Gavin Newsom attempted to blame President Trump for the fire. “The #MadreFire — which started on federal land Trump manages — is now the LARGEST wildfire of the year. Trump hasn…
It has only been a few months since Los Angeles experienced the worst fires in its history. Now another forest fire broke out in California – the biggest one this year.
Wildfire Expands in California North of LA
More than 600 firefighters are now involved in trying to control a California wildfire that broke out Wednesday afternoon. It quickly grew to over a 70,000-acre area by midday Friday. The fire is impacting a mostly rural area, about 110 miles northwest of Los Angeles. But as of Friday, smoke from the expanding fire was beginning to affect air quality in Los Angeles. Local TV station KTLA 5 reported it is now the largest wildfire in the state so …
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