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California’s largest wildfire grew to an estimated 70,801 acres on Friday, creating smoke that affected millions of residents in the state’s southern part of the state.
The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County erupted early Wednesday afternoon near a small town along Highway 166 on the Cariso Plains, according to Cal Fire.
The flame, fueled by strong winds, quickly expanded to nearly 53,000 acres by Thursday afternoon and burned roughly 82 square miles of drybrush by Friday afternoon, urging evacuations in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
Incident Commander said 50 structures were threatened with 10% containment.
U.S. Forest Service firefighter Kai Montez will run along Highway 166 in San Luis Obispo County, California on Thursday, July 3, 2025, on the Madre Fire (AP Photo/Noah Burger). Dozer Line running along Highway 166 in San Luis Obispo County, California, Thursday, July 3, 2025 (AP Photo/Noah Burger)
Over 600 firefighters were fighting the fire from the ground and the sky using seven air tankers and two helicopters. No injuries have been reported.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
A temporary shelter has been established at the California Valley Community Services District facility at 13080 Soda Lake Road in Santa Margarita.
Smoke from the fire drifted south and east over Metropolitan Los Angeles, urging health officials to issue air quality alerts to areas such as Santa Clarita, San Gabriel Valley and San Bernardino Mountain.
Cal Fire Map showing the location of the Madre Fire and Evacuation Zone on July 4, 2025.
“The levels of fireworks on (air pollution) Independence Day are also expected to reach unhealthy for sensitive groups and more sensitive groups,” the South Coast Air Quality Control District said, “We expect the air pollution index, which is sometimes expected to reach dangerous levels on Fridays and Saturdays in most of Los Angeles and Orange County.”
The AQMD provided the following tips to residents of smoke-affected areas:
Restrict exposure by staying indoors with windows and doors closed, or look for another shelter. Avoid active physical activity. Run the air conditioner and/or air purifier. Do not use swamp coolers or fans throughout the house. Avoid burning wood in fireplaces and fire holes, minimizing candles, incense, frying pots and indoor air pollution from grills. If you have to go outside, a properly installed N95 or P100 ventilator may provide some protection.
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