The Madre Fire, now the largest wildfire in California this year, expanded to 79,630 acres by Saturday, July 5, prompting expanded evacuation orders and worsening air quality across parts of

California’s largest wildfire of the year grew to an estimated 70,801 acres Friday, producing smoke that has affected millions of residents across the southern part of the state. The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County erupted early Wednesday afternoon near the small town of New Cuyama along Highway 166 on the Carrizo Plain,

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.