LOS ANGELES (AP) — A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California exploded in size as dry, hot weather Thursday raised the fire risk for large portions of the state ahead of the July Fourth holiday.
The Madre Fire became California’s largest blaze so far this year, ripping through grasslands after breaking out Wednesday in southeastern San Luis Obispo County.
It swiftly grew to more than 82 square miles (212 square kilometers).
The region about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles contains vast grasslands that draw visitors in the spring to see its wildflowers.
Fireworks were exploding when crews arrived at the scene and a woman was transported to a hospital in critical condition, the Los Angeles Times reported.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — As dry, hot weather Thursday increased the fire risk for large portions of the state ahead of the July Fourth holiday, a wildfire in a central California wilderness area exploded in size.
The Madre Fire started Wednesday in southeastern San Luis Obispo County and has since grown to be California’s largest fire of the year, tearing through grasslands. The area quickly expanded to over 82 square miles (212 square kilometers). By Thursday night, only 10% of it was contained.
About 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of Santa Maria, flames spread through hilly terrain toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument, prompting evacuation orders and warnings for small communities near State Route 166. In the spring, tourists flock to the expansive grasslands approximately 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles to witness the wildflowers.
The California Department of Transportation, also known as Caltrans, posted on social media that there was “no estimate for re-opening” after a portion of Route 166 East was closed on Thursday.
Summer gusts, which usually get stronger as the sun sets, pushed the fire, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Kittell.
According to Kittell, “the winds are fairly light during the day, but they do pick up pretty substantially in the afternoon and evening hours.”.
Later on Thursday, he warned, gusts could hit 40 mph (64 kph), creating new difficulties for firefighters battling 95-degree F (35 C) heat.
Statewide, dozens of smaller wildfires were raging.
Since starting on June 29 in Riverside County, east of Los Angeles, the Wolf Fire in Southern California has burned over 3.7 square miles (9.5 square kilometers) of dry brush, reaching 55 percent containment on Thursday.
Unrelated to the wildfires, a fire in the Pacoima neighborhood burned four houses before it was extinguished on Thursday evening. According to the Los Angeles Times, a woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition while fireworks were exploding when rescuers arrived on the scene.
