A central California wildfire has exploded to more than more than 80,000 acres, prompting a slew of evacuation notices.

A wildfire exploded overnight in California, with the massive blaze prompting evacuation orders and a highway closure. The Madre Fire ignited Wednesday afternoon in San Luis Obispo County, according to Cal Fire. It has since grown to more than 35,500 acres and is 5% contained as of Thursday morning, fire officials said.

Firefighters on the ground and in the air are making significant progress in containing California’s largest wildfire of 2025. The Madre Fire, which broke out shortly after 1 p.m. on July 2 on the