The Madre fire burning in San Luis Obispo County has grown to become the largest wildfire California has seen this year.
Why It Matters
It comes after Southern California was ravaged by wildfires in January, which resulted in the widespread destruction of homes and the deaths of at least 29 people.
Earlier this week, the Wolf fire also burned over 2,000 acres in Riverside County.
What To Know
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), the blaze broke out on Wednesday shortly after 1 p.m. local time.
Watch Duty
On Thursday, Newsweek reported that at least 35,530 acres had been burned, and just five percent of the fire had been contained as of 1:23 p.m. local time.
As of Cal Fire’s most recent updates, the agency said the blaze had spread to 52,592 acres and was at 10 percent containment.
By comparison, the Palisades and Eaton fires had consumed 23,448 and 14,021 acres, respectively, by the time they were contained.
Cal Fire said that almost 600 personnel had been assigned to respond to the fire, including four helicopters and 41 engines.
Smoke from the Madre fire prompted the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD)—the air pollution control agency for all of Orange County and large portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties—to issue a wildfire smoke advisory for Santa Clarita and the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains.
Fine particle pollution in these areas could reach levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, it cautioned.
What People Are Saying
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said on X, Thursday: “The #MadreFire — which began on federally managed land — has now burned 52,952 acres and is 5% contained.
“The state remains in lockstep with our federal partners as we deploy significant air support and surge ground crews to protect nearby communities.”
The National Weather Service forecast office, Los Angeles, said on X, Thursday: “Visible satellite shows the #MadreFire affecting interior San Luis Obispo County, with a smoke plume spreading SE of the fire over Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. In the latest update, the fire is over 8300 acres.”
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said on X, Wednesday: “As we enter July, California is heating up — and so is the wildfire risk.
“In the past 24 hours, CAL FIRE has responded to over 65 wildfires statewide, which have burned more than 150 acres, prompted evacuations in some areas, created smoky conditions, and impacted both infrastructure and habitats.
“With hotter, drier conditions ahead, it’s more important than ever to practice fire safety at home and outdoors.”
What Happens Next
Cal Fire says the cause of the Madre fire remains under investigation.