LOS ANGELES (AP) — A wildfire erupted in a wilderness region of central California, rapidly expanding as dry and hot conditions on Thursday heightened the fire risk across much of the state just before the July Fourth celebrations.
The blaze, known as the Madre Fire, became the largest wildfire in California this year. Originating in southeastern San Luis Obispo County on Wednesday, it quickly spread through grasslands and grew to over 55 square miles (142 square kilometers) with only 5% containment reported.
Evacuation orders and alerts were issued for small communities near State Route 166 as the fire advanced through rugged terrain, heading towards the Carrizo Plain National Monument, approximately 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of Santa Maria. This area, about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, is renowned for its expansive grasslands that attract visitors keen to experience its vivid wildflower displays in the springtime.
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 heat (35 Celsius).
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.
