A wildfire in central California's wilderness rapidly expanded Thursday as hot, dry conditions heightened fire risks ahead of July Fourth. The Madre Fire, now the state's largest this year,

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

A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California has exploded in size as dry, hot weather raise the fire risk for large portions of the state ahead of the July Fourth holiday.