Madre Fire Grows Rapidly, Forces Evacuations

The Madre Fire, which started Wednesday in San Luis Obispo County, has rapidly expanded to burn over 52,500 acres, making it California's largest wildfire of the year so far. Containment efforts have reached only 5-10% as the fire, driven by hot, dry, and windy conditions, threatens at least 50 structures and has prompted both widespread evacuations and highway closures near Highway 166. The blaze continues to advance toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument, with officials warning of widespread smoke impacts and no rain in the immediate forecast to aid firefighting efforts. Hundreds of firefighters, supported by air tankers and helicopters, are battling the fire amid challenging weather and terrain. The cause remains under investigation. Meanwhile, dozens of smaller wildfires are burning across the state, including the Wolf Fire in Southern California, which is more than half contained.