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
The basics
- Acreage: 79,936 acres as of Sunday morning
- Containment: 10%
- Structures destroyed: 1
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Evacuation map and orders
Evacuation orders have been issued by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department for the following areas:
- Some areas north of State Highway 166
- Areas west of Carrizo Plain National Monument
Evacuation warnings
Authorities say those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately.
- Southwest portions of Kern County
- Areas west of State Route 33
- Areas east of Rock Front in Santa Barbara County
- West of Cotton Canyon Road
Road closures
- State Route 166 East is closed from US 101 near Santa Maria to Perkins Road in the New Cuyama area of Santa Barbara County.
🚨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
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Fire resources and tips
Check out LAist's wildfire recovery guide
If you have to evacuate:
- Why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
- How to get packed up
- How to leave your house
- What evacuation terms mean and how to sign up for alerts
Navigating fire conditions:
- How to drive in high winds and fire danger
- How to prep for power outages
- How to navigate poor air quality
How to help yourself and others:
- Resources for fire victims, evacuees and first responders
- If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer
- How to help find lost pets
How to start the recovery process:
- What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
- How to make an insurance claim
- How to safely clean up wildfire ash
What to do for your kids:
- How to talk to children about wildfires and losing a home
- What parents should know about wildfire air quality
Prepare for the next disaster:
