Topline:
Evacuation orders are in place for rural areas near State Highway 166 in the Los Padres National Forest in San Luis Obispo County.
What we know so far: The fire started Wednesday afternoon near the highway — and quickly grew to thousands of acres. The Madre Fire is California's largest fire this year.
Keep reading... for more on evacuations and weather conditions.
This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
Evacuation orders are in place for rural areas near State Highway 166 in the Los Padres National Forest in San Luis Obispo County. The fire started Wednesday afternoon near the highway — and quickly grew to thousands of acres. The Madre Fire is California's largest fire this year.
Officials say that fire behavior remains extreme due to the active winds, low humidity, high temperatures, topography, and dry grassy fuel.
These conditions are expected to stay the same for the next several days and into next week when the National Weather Service expects Southern California to see its first summer heatwave this year.
State Route 166 east is closed from US 101 near Santa Maria to Perkins Road in the New Cuyama area of Santa Barbara County. Carrizo Plain National Monument is also closed.
#MadreFire 7.4.2025 Update: Acreage is 70,800, with 10% containment & 1 outbuilding destroyed . For more information visit fire https://t.co/vI0Ng2RyWJ pic.twitter.com/pNrDPrUU8R
— San Luis Obispo County Fire Department (@CALFIRE_SLO) July 4, 2025
Evacuation orders have been issued by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department for the following areas:
Authorities say those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately.
🚨Traffic Alert🚨
— Caltrans District 5 (@CaltransD5) July 3, 2025
State Route 166 East remains closed from US 101 near Santa Maria to Perkins Road in the New Cuyama area of Santa Barbara County due to the #MadreFire. There is no estimate for re-opening at this time. Road closures at https://t.co/86BJHWuSgc@CaltransHQ pic.twitter.com/vEDnpIMaMr
Check out LAist's wildfire recovery guide
If you have to evacuate:
Navigating fire conditions:
How to help yourself and others:
How to start the recovery process:
What to do for your kids:
Prepare for the next disaster:
