A wildfire in a wilderness area on the Central California coast grew to more than 70,800 acres Friday as the fire-prone state enters the hot and dry months of summer.
The Madre Fire, burning in warm conditions in San Luis Obispo County, was 10-percent contained after it started Wednesday. It is the largest wildfire so far this year in California.
Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for small communities near State Route 166. Flames were burning on dry grassy hillsides toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument.
Part of Route 166 remained closed.
The area is about 125 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
In Southern California, the Wolf Fire reached 65% containment after burning more than 2,400 acres of dry brush since breaking out June 29 in Riverside County east of Los Angeles. Containment incresed to 90% and greater for the 750-acre Juniper Fire in Riverside County and the nearly 500-acre Lake Fire in San Bernardino County.
California wildfires map
The map below shows where the Madre Fire and other smaller fires are burning around California.
