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

A fast-moving California wildfire exploded to become the state’s biggest of the year, forcing evacuations and the closure of a highway, and evoking memories of the devastating blazes that laid waste to parts of the state in January.

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.