SAN LUIS OBISPO - The largest wildfire in California so far this year has burned through a large portion of rural San Luis Obispo County.

The Madre Fire has blackened more than 71-thousand acres and threatened some 50 structures, but Cal Fire said it wasn't yet aware of any injuries or structure damage.

CalFire PIO Toni Davis says the steep terrain and winds fueled the fire once it sparked.

"The steep terrain, we have consistent winds, they are gusting of about 20 mph today on and off throughout the day, so steep terrain once again, that definitely plays a huge part,” Davis told KSBY.

She says crews have been facing additional challenges. “The type of vegetation, the terrain that you're looking at. You have drainages that have lower relative humidity, brush, light, flashy fuels such as annual grasses all in that, and when it's steep, those drainages go up like a candle, they heat both sides of the hill and it's gonna run up a hill rather quickly," Davis said. "Fire, when you have consistent winds, it’s gonna dry out that vegetation all day long. And then with the temperatures in the 90s there's really not much relief”.

Evacuation orders are in effect.

Story Date: July 7, 2025