The Madre Fire ignited Wednesday afternoon in San Luis Obispo County and has since grown to more than 52,000 acres, according to Cal Fire.

California’s largest wildfire of the year grew to an estimated 70,801 acres Friday, producing smoke that has affected millions of residents across the southern part of the state. The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County erupted early Wednesday afternoon near the small town of New Cuyama along Highway 166 on the Carrizo Plain,

A wildfire in a wilderness area of Central California continued to spread Friday amid dry, windy conditions. The Madre Fire is California’s largest blaze so far this year, igniting in dry brush Wednesday in southeastern San Luis Obispo County.