Madre Fire in California explodes to more than 52,000 acres in 1 day
- 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.
127 Articles
127 Articles
Madre fire near New Cuyama becomes largest in state at 52,592 acres
The Madre fire, burning east of Santa Maria in wilderness near New Cuyama in San Luis Obispo County is now the largest wildfire in California, having grown to 52,592 acres overnight Friday, according to CalFire.
The U.S. state is still traumatized by the fires that killed 30 people in Los Angeles last January and dreaded a summer where the risk of fire will be very high.
The so-called Mother Fire broke out on Wednesday in a mountainous area of Los Padres National Forest, in San Luis Obispo County, about 350 kilometers north of Los Angeles.
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