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The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
California's largest blaze in 2025 explodes in size as hot weather raises wildfire risk Statewide
A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California exploded in size as dry, hot weather Thursday raised the fire risk for large portions of the State ahead of the July Fourth holiday. The Madre Fire became California's largest blaze so far this year, ripping through grasslands after breaking out Wednesday in southeastern San Luis Obispo County. It swiftly grew to more than 82 square miles (212 square kilometers). It was just 10% contained by Thursday evening. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for tiny communities near State Route 166 as flames moved through hilly terrain toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of Santa Maria. The region about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles contains vast grasslands that draw visitors in the spring to see its wildflowers. Part of Route 166 East was closed Thursday, and there was 'no estimate for re-opening,' California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, said on social media. The fire was pushed by summer gusts that typically increase as the sun starts going down, said meteorologist Ryan Kittell with the National Weather Service. 'The winds are pretty light during the day, but they do pick up pretty substantially in the afternoon and evening hours,' Kittell said. He said gusts could reach 40 mph (64 kph) later in the day Thursday, posing new challenges for firefighters working in 95-degree F heat (35 C). Dozens of smaller wildfires were burning across the State. Southern California's Wolf Fire reached 55% containment Thursday after charring more than 3.7 square miles (9.5 square kilometers) of dry brush since breaking out June 29 in Riverside County east of Los Angeles. Unrelated to the wildfires, a fire burned four homes in the Pacoima neighborhood before being brought under control Thursday night. Fireworks were exploding when crews arrived at the scene and a woman was transported to a hospital in critical condition, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Miami Herald
04-07-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
Madre Fire grows to 52,932 acres, largest in California this year
The Madre Fire in central California expanded to nearly 53,000 in one day, making it the largest wildfire this year in California. In terms of size, the Madre Fire is the largest wildfire in California this year, surpassing January's Palisades and Eaton fires of 51,490 acres in densely populated Los Angeles County, Cal Fire said. The wildfire was reported Wednesday afternoon in San Luis Obispo County and has since grown to 52,932 acres and was 10% contained as of Thursday night. On Wednesday, it was 200 acres but by early Thursday, it had grown to 35,530 acres and 5% contained. The New Cuyama area is about 60 miles west of Bakersfield and 50 miles east of Santa Maria. Despite being 125 miles northwest of Los Angeles, smoke was extending into Southern California. The South Coast Air Quality Management District on Thursday afternoon issued a smoke advisory for the Los Angeles area, including Santa Clarita, the San Gabriel Valley and the San Bernardino Mountains. 'With the current weather, terrain, and fuel conditions this fire has seen exponential growth in less than 24 hours in multiple counties surrounding the San Luis Obispo County area,' the U.S. Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest posted on Facebook on Thursday afternoon. 'Smoke impacts will be far-reaching.' The cause remains under investigation. Residents in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties have received evacuation orders and warnings. An evacuation center was set up at the California Valley Community Services District. All Bureau of Land Management lands in Carrizo Plain National Monument are closed for public access. Fifty structures have been threatened, according to Cal Fire. Video from the University of California UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia camera network shows the fire spreading rapidly across the Carrizo Plain. 'The winds are pretty light during the day, but they do pick up pretty substantially in the afternoon and evening hours,' Ryan Kittell, with the National Weather Service, told KTLA-TV. The 594 firefighters are contending with high winds. Friday's forecast in the area is a high of 75 degrees with humidity of 81% and calm winds, the National Weather Service said. Bakersfield is forecast for a high in the lower 90s after a 102-degree high on Thursday. Resources include 41 fire engines, 14 hand crews, five water tenders, four helicopters and seven bulldozers. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
04-07-2025
- Climate
- UPI
Madre Fire grows to 52,932 acres, largest in California this year
The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County area grew to nearly 53,000 on Thursday night, including Los Padres National Forest. It was 35,530 acres early Thursday. Photo by Bureau of Land Management/Facebook July 4 (UPI) -- The Madre Fire in central California expanded to nearly 53,000 in one day, making it the largest wildfire this year in California. In terms of size, the Madre Fire is the largest wildfire in California this year, surpassing January's Palisades and Eaton fires of 51,490 acres in densely populated Los Angeles County, Cal Fire said. The wildfire was reported Wednesday afternoon in San Luis Obispo County and has since grown to 52,932 acres and was 10% contained as of Thursday night. On Wednesday, it was 200 acres but by early Thursday, it had grown to 35,530 acres and 5% contained. The New Cuyama area is about 60 miles west of Bakersfield and 50 miles east of Santa Maria. Despite being 125 miles northwest of Los Angeles, smoke was extending into Southern California. The South Coast Air Quality Management District on Thursday afternoon issued a smoke advisory for the Los Angeles area, including Santa Clarita, the San Gabriel Valley and the San Bernardino Mountains. "With the current weather, terrain, and fuel conditions this fire has seen exponential growth in less than 24 hours in multiple counties surrounding the San Luis Obispo County area," the U.S. Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest posted on Facebook on Thursday afternoon. "Smoke impacts will be far-reaching." The cause remains under investigation. Residents in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties have received evacuation orders and warnings. An evacuation center was set up at the California Valley Community Services District. All Bureau of Land Management lands in Carrizo Plain National Monument are closed for public access. Fifty structures have been threatened, according to Cal Fire. Video from the University of California UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia camera network shows the fire spreading rapidly across the Carrizo Plain. "The winds are pretty light during the day, but they do pick up pretty substantially in the afternoon and evening hours," Ryan Kittell, with the National Weather Service, told KTLA-TV. The 594 firefighters are contending with high winds. Friday's forecast in the area is a high of 75 degrees with humidity of 81% and calm winds, the National Weather Service said. Bakersfield is forecast for a high in the lower 90s after a 102-degree high on Thursday. Resources include 41 fire engines, 14 hand crews, five water tenders, four helicopters and seven bulldozers.
LeMonde
04-07-2025
- Climate
- LeMonde
California's Madre Fire expands to become the state's largest blaze this year
A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California exploded in size as dry, hot weather on Thursday, July 3, raised the fire risk for large portions of the state ahead of the July Fourth holiday. The Madre Fire became California's largest blaze so far this year, ripping through grasslands after breaking out in southeastern San Luis Obispo County on Wednesday. It swiftly grew to more than 212 square kilometers. It was just 10% contained by Thursday evening. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for tiny communities near State Route 166 as flames moved through hilly terrain toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument, about 72 kilometers east of Santa Maria. The region, located about 200 kilometers northwest of Los Angeles, contains vast grasslands that draw visitors in the spring to see its wildflowers. Part of Route 166 East was closed Thursday, and there was "no estimate for re-opening," the California Department of Transportation said on social media. The fire was pushed by summer gusts that typically increase as the sun starts going down, said meteorologist Ryan Kittell with the National Weather Service. "The winds are pretty light during the day, but they do pick up pretty substantially in the afternoon and evening hours," Kittell said. He said gusts could reach 64 kph later in the day on Thursday, posing new challenges for firefighters working in 35°C heat. Fires across the state Dozens of smaller wildfires were burning across the state. Southern California's Wolf Fire reached 55% containment on Thursday, after charring more than 9.5 square kilometers of dry brush since breaking out in Riverside County, east of Los Angeles, on June 29. Unrelated to the wildfires, a fire burned four homes in the Pacoima neighborhood before being brought under control on Thursday night. Fireworks were exploding when crews arrived at the scene, and a woman was transported to a hospital in critical condition, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Saba Yemen
04-07-2025
- Climate
- Saba Yemen
Madre Fire Becomes California's Largest Wildfire of Year
California - Saba: The "Madre Fire" has scorched over 140 square kilometers in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, making it California's largest wildfire so far this year, with containment at just 5%, according to APP News. Flames spread rapidly through grasslands and hills, prompting evacuations and warnings near Highway 166 as the fire neared Carrizo Plain National Monument, about 70 km east of Santa Maria. Meteorologist Ryan Kittell warned that evening winds could reach 65 km/h, and high temperatures up to 35°C are complicating firefighting efforts. Further south, firefighters continued battling the 'Wolf Fire' in Riverside County, which has burned over 9.5 km² and is 55% contained. Dozens of smaller fires have also erupted across the state. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
