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

A massive California wildfire has prompted 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 79,936 acres and is 30% contained as of Sunday, fire officials said.

A wildfire in Central California continued to burn Monday and expanded to about 80,000 acres over the holiday weekend, according to Cal Fire.

The Madre Fire is the largest wildfire in California in 2025 — surpassing the Los Angeles-area fires that devastated parts of the region in January.

The Madre Fire was reported shortly after noon Wednesday, July 2, along Highway 166 about 25 miles east of Santa Maria.

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.

More than 1,400 firefighters battling California's largest wildfire – the Madre Fire – so far this year were gaining ground on Monday.