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.

According to Cal Fire, the Madre Fire started at 1:07 p.m. along state Route 166 near New Cuyama, which is a major road on the way to Las Vegas. The blaze was at 9,800 acres and zero containment as of 10:11 p.m.

A wildfire in California’s San Luis Obispo County rapidly expanded overnight and was covering more than 35,000 acres on Thursday morning, prompting evacuation orders, closing part of a highway and sending thick smoke billowing into neighboring counties. It is the biggest wildfire the state has seen this year.