Madre Fire burning over 70,000 acres in California, largest in the state this year

A wildfire that broke out in California has rapidly spread to burn more than 70,800 acres, making it the largest in the state so far this year, according to officials.  

The Madre Fire was 10% contained as of Friday afternoon, Cal Fire said. The fire has threatened some 50 structures, but Cal Fire said it wasn’t yet aware of any injuries or damage. 

The fire began Wednesday in the Los Padres National Forest, federally managed land area in Central California, and has prompted evacuation orders, warnings and highway closures in residential San Luis Obispo County about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. Kern County is also experiencing various levels of evacuations.

“As we approach the holiday weekend, the Madre Fire, the largest of 2025, is a stark reminder of potential dangers,” the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement. 

Earlier this year, the Palisades and Eaton fires killed 30 people and burned 23,707 acres and 14,021 acres, respectively. The fires destroyed more than 12,000 structures and forced around 200,000 residents to evacuate the Los Angeles area. 

Cal Fire has deployed aircrews and ground resources to assist the Forest Service, as the blaze is spreading off of federal land and “now moving toward state areas,” according to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office. The state is “operating in Unified Command with our federal and local partners to protect lives, property and communities,” Newsom’s office added. 

“With the current weather, terrain and fuels conditions, this fire has seen exponential growth in less than 24 hours,” the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement posted to social media on Thursday when the fire grew to more than 35,000 acres.

The Bureau of Land Management and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said they are working alongside fire personnel. Officials said a full response was initiated that included seven air tankers and two helicopters, along with multiple engines and hand crews with 608 personnel. 

Smoke from the fire is spreading over Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, the National Weather Service said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Cal Fire said.

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Jared Ochacher covers national breaking news at CBS News. He is based in New York City.

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