California’s largest wildfire of 2025 tears through San Luis Obispo County, threatens wildlife and communities

San Luis Obispo County, California – A massive wildfire burning in California’s San Luis Obispo County has exploded in size over the past two days, scorching more than 70,800 acres as of Friday morning and becoming the state’s largest wildfire of the year. Named the Madre Fire, the blaze began Wednesday in the remote terrain of Los Padres National Forest and has since prompted widespread evacuations, shut down key highways, and cast a heavy cloud of smoke over the Central Coast.

As of Friday afternoon, containment stood at just 10%, according to Cal Fire. Officials say the fire is being driven by a dangerous mix of high temperatures, dry vegetation, and rugged terrain — a trifecta that has become increasingly common in California’s warming climate. Though no injuries or structural damage have been reported, some 50 buildings remain under threat, and at least 213 residents have been evacuated.

The blaze ignited near State Route 166, a critical artery connecting the Central Coast to the southern San Joaquin Valley. A section of the highway remains closed, and Caltrans has not provided a timeline for reopening. Cal Fire spokesperson Toni Davis said 15 evacuation orders and 13 warnings remain active, with five new evacuation warnings issued since Thursday.

“This is a very rural area with ranch land, rolling hills, and dry grass,” Davis said, underscoring how quickly the flames have moved across the landscape. In less than 24 hours, the fire more than doubled in size, fueled by gusty winds and exceptionally dry brush.

The fire has also torn through the Carrizo Plain National Monument, a unique ecological preserve that supports rare and endangered species as well as the region’s iconic wildflower blooms. According to Cal Fire, at least 11,500 acres of the monument have burned. Experts say fire can sometimes benefit wildflower habitats by clearing out invasive species, but intense heat can also destroy the native seed banks that sustain future growth.

“The hope would be that fire would benefit the landscape, but we won’t know until after the fire is out,” said Philip Oviatt, a spokesperson for the national monument.

The adjoining Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve — home to a population of around 100 tule elk — was also impacted. Dave Hacker, a senior environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the majority of the elk’s home range burned Thursday. “We don’t know whether it directly impacted any animals,” he said. “We’re hoping not, but it was a pretty fast-moving fire.”

More than 600 firefighters, along with seven air tankers, two helicopters, and dozens of engines and hand crews, are currently battling the fire. Cal Fire is working alongside federal and local agencies under Unified Command, as the fire spreads from federally managed lands into state jurisdictions.

This fire comes just months after the Palisades and Eaton fires devastated the Los Angeles area, killing 30 people and destroying more than 12,000 structures. With forecasters predicting an exceptionally hot summer ahead, state and federal officials warn that California could face another punishing fire season — with fewer resources than ever due to budget constraints affecting key wildfire prevention and recovery efforts.

The cause of the Madre Fire remains under investigation.