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Climate and Environment

Madre Fire burns over 70k acres, more 'extreme' fire weather ahead

By  Tiffany Ujiiye
Updated Jul 6, 2025 7:10 AM
Published Jul 4, 2025 3:16 PM
Two black and white law enforcement vehicles are on a road with dark plumes of smoke behind them.
The Madre Fire began Wednesday afternoon in San Luis Obispo County.
(
CourtesySan Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department
/
via X
)

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.

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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.

The basics

  • Acreage: 79,936 acres as of Sunday morning
  • Containment: 10%
  • Structures destroyed: 1
    Trending on LAist

    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
    A digital map shows a red and irregular oval with a fire graphic.
    The Carrizo Plain National Monument is closed due to the Madre Fire. Click for the most recent evacuation areas.
    (
    Courtesy CalFire
    )

    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.

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    Listen to our Big Burn podcast

    Listen • 39:42
    Get ready now. Listen to our The Big Burn podcast
    Jacob Margolis, LAist's science reporter, examines the new normal of big fires in California.

    Fire resources and tips

    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:

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