San Luis Obispo County, California – A wildfire burning in the remote wilderness of central California exploded in size Thursday, fueled by intense heat, dry brush, and gusting winds just as the state prepared for Fourth of July celebrations. The Madre Fire, which ignited Wednesday in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, had scorched more than 82 square miles by evening, becoming California’s largest blaze of 2025.
The fire’s rapid expansion has prompted evacuation orders and warnings for rural communities along State Route 166. As of Thursday night, the fire was just 10% contained. Firefighters faced mounting challenges as the blaze pushed eastward toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument—an ecologically sensitive expanse of grassland known for its spring wildflower blooms. The region lies about 125 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 45 miles from Santa Maria.
Crews battling the flames contend not only with the size and pace of the fire, but also the geography. The hilly terrain around the monument makes it difficult for fire engines and bulldozers to operate, forcing some crews to work on foot in 95-degree heat. As the sun dipped below the horizon, conditions worsened. Meteorologists warned that wind gusts could reach 40 miles per hour Thursday night, a pattern that often turns daylight firefighting progress into overnight setbacks…