A wildfiresurged in size in a central California wilderness region as the risk of fire increased for all of the state on Thursday due to dry, hot weather.
The Madre Fire began Wednesday in southeastern San Luis Obispo County and has since grown to become California’s largest fire of the year, tearing over grasslands. It quickly expanded to over 82 square miles. By Thursday night it was just ten percent contained.
As the fire spread across rocky terrain toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument, evacuation orders and warnings were issued for small settlements. Large grasslands in the area, which is roughly 125 miles northwest of Los Angeles, attract tourists in the spring for its wildflowers.
According to National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Kittell, the fire was fueled by summer breezes that usually get stronger as the sun sets.
According to Kittell, the winds are rather low during the day but do significantly increase in the afternoon and evening.
Throughout the state, dozens of minor wildfires were also raging.
Unrelated to the wildfires, a fire in the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles burnt four houses before it was extinguished on Thursday night. According to the Los Angeles Times, a woman was taken to a hospital in severe condition while fireworks were blazing when rescuers got on the site.
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California’s largest wildfire explodes in size as hot weather raises risks statewide
California’s largest wildfire explodes in size as hot weather raises risks statewide
California’s largest wildfire explodes in size as hot weather raises risks statewide