California’s largest wildfire of the year grew to an estimated 70,801 acres Friday, producing smoke that has affected millions of residents across the southern part of the state. The Madre Fire in

The Madre fire burning in San Luis Obispo County has grown to become the largest wildfire California has seen this year. 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.

[Update: Thu., July 3, 5:36pm] The Madre Fire has expanded to 52,593 acres as of 5:17 p.m. on Thursday, still with only 5 percent containment, according to CalFire. Now the largest fire of 2025 in the state, there are 303 total personnel including 39 engines, four helicopters, four water tenders, and two handcrews on the scene as of 1:23 p.m.