The Madre Fire, now the largest wildfire in California this year, expanded to 79,630 acres by Saturday, July 5, prompting expanded evacuation orders and worsening air quality across parts of

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

A wildfire in California’s San Luis Obispo County rapidly expanded overnight and was covering more than 52,600 acres by Thursday afternoon, prompting evacuation orders, closing part of a highway and sending thick smoke billowing into neighboring counties.