California’s Madre Fire grows to over 70k acres, becomes largest in state this year
The Madre Fire, burning near San Luis Obispo, California, grew to over 70,000 acres on Friday, July 4. It is now the largest wildfire to burn in the state in 2025.
Large-scale firefighting response
Seven air tankers and two helicopters joined local engines and ground crews to fight the fire. Cal Fire said an interstate fire management team would be taking command of firefighting efforts on Friday.
The Madre Fire began on Wednesday, July 2, in the Los Padres National Forest and quickly grew into the largest fire in California this year.
“With the current weather, terrain, and fuels conditions this fire has seen exponential growth in less than 24 hours,” the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement Thursday, July 3.
Official fire reports indicate that the weather conditions and already-dry land mean fire crews will face a challenge over the next three days.
“Fire behavior is expected to be extreme, characterized by rapid uphill runs and wind-driven head fire spread,” the report said. “The presence of dry, cured annual grasses will support high rates of spread with intense flame lengths. Alignment of slope and wind will further exacerbate fire behavior, creating challenging suppression conditions.”
Fire forcing evacuations
The Madre Fire has prompted evacuations, warnings and highway closures in residential areas about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. It has also sent smoke plumes into Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
Fire officials said the Madre Fire is close to burning about 50 structures, which include homes, garages, barns and sheds, however, they could not confirm whether the fire damaged or destroyed any of them. Cal Fire also said they had not received any reports of injuries as of Thursday evening.
As of Friday afternoon, Cal Fire officials said the Madre Fire was only 10% contained. Officials have not yet determined a cause.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
