Madre Fire updates: SLO County fire grows to 70,800 acres, 1 building destroyed
The largest wildfire in California so far this year continued to burn a huge portion of San Luis Obispo County into the holiday weekend.
As of the Friday afternoon update, the Madre Fire grew to 70,800 acres and was 10% contained, according to Cal Fire.
The blaze broke out near Highway 166 in the southeastern portion of San Luis Obispo County on Wednesday afternoon before quickly exploding in size as it raced across the grassy area.
Madre Fire grows, 1 outbuilding destroyed
Update, 2:15 p.m.:
The Madre Fire has grown to 70,800 acres as of Friday afternoon.
According to an afternoon update by Cal Fire, the wildfire remained at 10% containment. It has also destroyed one outbuilding, the agency said.
Wind-driven Madre Fire remained active overnight, Cal Fire says
An estimated 50 structures remain threatened by the ongoing fire and the Carrizo Plain National Monument is still closed to the public to protect safety.
According to Cal Fire’s situation report, the fire remained active throughout the night, “displaying wind-driven runs and active fire behavior when topography and fuels align.”
It was burning primarily through grass, oak woodland and chaparral, according to the report.
Fire behavior was expected to be extreme through most of the weekend, according to Cal Fire’s report, with the primary concerns being the potential for “rapid uphill runs and wind-driven head fire spread.”
“The presence of dry, cured annual grasses will support high rates of spread with intense flame lengths,” the report said. “Alignment of slope and wind will further exacerbate fire behavior, creating challenging suppression conditions.”
Hot conditions were also expected to persist through Saturday, with low humidity and decreasing winds.
“High mixing heights will also continue the risk of plume dominated fire behavior, especially in the afternoon to early evening hours,” the Friday report said.
A total of 608 personnel were assigned to the blaze as of Friday morning.
Which areas are under evacuations orders, warnings?
Fifteen zones are currently under evacuation orders. Those are:
- LPF-017
- SLC-226
- SLC-240
- SLC-263
- SLC-264
- SLC-265
- SLC-298
- SLC-299
- SLC-300
- SLC-312
- SLC-313
- SLC-337
- SLC-338
- SLC-339
- SLC-358
Evacuation warnings, meanwhile, have been issued for the following areas in San Luis Obispo, Kern and Santa Barbara counties:
- SLC-225
- SLC-239
- SLC-266
- SLC-301
- SLC-359
- SLC-365
- SLC-366
- SLC-367
- KRN-245
- KRN-249
- KRN-259
- KRN-281-B
- Santa Barbara County: east of the Rock Front area, west of Cotton Wood Canyon Road and south of Highway 166.
This story was originally published July 4, 2025 at 10:25 AM.
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