Hundreds of firefighters are working to contain a fast-moving wildfire that erupted near California’s Central Coast on Wednesday, forcing evacuations in two counties.
The Madre Fire broke out shortly after 1 p.m. along Highway 166 in the New Cuyama area, according to incident commanders. The cause remains under investigation.
As of Thursday morning, the fire had scorched 35,500 acres of primarily dry brush, making it the largest wildfire in California this year– even eclipsing January’s Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County in terms of size.
Evacuation orders and warnings included areas of both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. A temporary evacuation point has been set up at the California Valley Community Services District facility at 13080 Soda Lake Road in Santa Margarita.
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The Madre Fire is seen from an ALERTCalifornia camera on July 2, 2025. (ALERTCalifornia | UC San Diego) -
The Madre Fire is seen from an ALERTCalifornia camera on July 2, 2025. (ALERTCalifornia | UC San Diego) -
Madre Fire evacuations and warnings as of July 3, 2025. (San Luis Obispo County Emergency Services)
Fifty structures were threatened, and containment was listed at just 5%, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.
Video shared by UC San Diego’s ALERTCalifornia camera network shows the fire spreading rapidly across an area known as the Carrizo Plain.
As of Thursday, over 300 firefighting personnel were assigned to the blaze, including seven air tankers and two helicopters.
New Cuyama is roughly 60 miles west of Bakersfield and 50 miles east of Santa Maria.
Evacuation Orders:
LPF-017, SLC-226, SLC-264, SLC-265, SLC-299, SLC-312, SLC-337, SLC-338
Evacuation Warnings:
SLC-263, SLC-298, SLC-300, SLC-313, SLC-339, SLC-358
Santa Barbara County – East of the Rock Front Area, West of Cottonwood Canyon Road, and South of Highway 166.
Updates: https://www.facebook.com/CALFIRESLU
