As Madre Fire Size Surpasses Eaton, Local Officials Warn of July 4 Holiday Sparks

A wildfire that broke out in San Luis Obispo County on Wednesday afternoon has since become the state’s largest of the season, prompting local wildfire concerns as weather warms up parts of the Bay Area into the holiday weekend.

The Madre Fire, which began along Highway 166, has burned more than 35,500 acres and is at 5% containment as of Thursday morning, according to the state’s wildfire agency. More than 200 residents have been evacuated, and no casualties have been reported.

The fire started in the county’s grassy and mountainous regions and is burning in parts of the nearby Los Padres National Park. Evacuation orders have been issued for sections of San Luis Obispo County as well as Santa Barbara County. Highway 166 has been closed from Highway 101 in Santa Maria to Perkins Road in New Cuyama.

Plumes of smoke from the flames have also spread to neighboring areas in Santa Barbara and Kern Counties, and air quality warnings have been issued.

“If you’re under an evacuation order, just be ready to go,” Toni Davis, a spokesperson assigned to the Madre Fire incident, said. “Have a go bag packed with medical needs, spare clothing and nonperishable food. If you have pets, get them ready to go.”

More than 300 first responders from Los Padres National Forest, CAL Fire San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County are working to contain the fire, according to a spokesperson assigned to the Madre Fire incident. They’re also joined by personnel from the Bureau of Land Management and the Office of Emergency Services.

Earlier this year, two massive wildfires erupted in Los Angeles County. Nearly 40,000 acres were destroyed by the Eaton and Palisades fires and more than two dozen people were killed. The Madre Fire has since exceeded both in size, although no structures have been destroyed.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Davis said.

As firefighters struggle to contain the blaze, Bay Area weather service officials have warned of elevated fire risk concerns in the East Bay and Santa Cruz hills.

Roger Gass, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office, said strong westerly winds ranging from 30 to 55 miles per hour are expected to continue in the area for the next two days, leading to elevated fire conditions.

“We’re expecting some grass fires, especially as people illegally shoot off fireworks,” he said. “We expect that to be a concern through the holiday weekend.”

Gass said it’s unlikely, however, that the Bay Area will be affected by any smoke or debris coming from the Madre Fire.