California’s Madre Fire Explodes in Size to Cover Nearly 80,000 Acres

Evacuations have been ordered in several zones in the Central Coast area.

Firefighters scramble to keep the Madre Fire from advancing along Highway 166 in San Luis Obispo County on California's Central Coast on July 3, 2025. Noah Berger/AP Photo

A wildfire in California’s San Luis Obispo County has expanded to now cover almost 79,630 acres with just 10 percent containment, according to a state government report last updated at 2:30 p.m. local time on July 5.

The wildfire started on July 2 on Highway 166 in the New Cuyama area of Santa Barbara County, south of San Luis Obispo County. Thus far, one structure has been reported destroyed, with 50 structures threatened. Civilian or firefighter injuries have not been reported.