# 2025 California Wildfire Season Has Begun **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 8, 2025, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707 "2025-01-08T02:14:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2025, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/301 "2025-07-03T23:11:30Z")
> 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 55 square miles (142 square kilometers). There was just 5% containment. > **[California's largest blaze explodes in size as dry, hot weather raises...](https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfire-weather-891998f4d195031b68d201013f9ae550)** > > A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California exploded in size as dry, hot weather raised the fire risk for large portions of the state ahead of the July Fourth holiday. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/302 "2025-07-03T23:20:55Z")
The sky is all blue from here in SLO, but that fire is down wind from us. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/303 "2025-07-04T03:55:27Z")
There’s a noticeable amount of ash on my car here in Santa Barbara. No smoke smell though. Yet. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/304 "2025-07-04T04:38:16Z")
I haven’t noticed any ash at all yet. I was planning to drive to Paso on Saturday. I hope it’s not an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/305 "2025-07-04T04:42:44Z")
I think the fire is quite east of the 101. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/306 "2025-07-04T04:56:58Z")
well, it’s not Mt. Saint Helens-style buried, but it’s noticeable. [![](https://i.ibb.co/rRnLVsLT/IMG-4787.jpg) ](https://i.ibb.co/rRnLVsLT/IMG-4787.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/307 "2025-07-04T18:08:33Z")
None at all in my part of the neighborhood. Depends on the wind. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/308 "2025-07-04T19:47:44Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’ve long argued that all insurance should be all-perils insurance. Otherwise companies are effectively competing on the basis of writing sneaky terms excluding risks to enable the lowest price. We have a very extensive flood protection system in my area that spans many counties. Some of the land is designated as flood plain land. It’s land designed to take on water when the dams back up. Insurance polices are written to account for that in those areas. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2025, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/309 "2025-07-05T21:08:47Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > 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. The fire is up to 80,000 acres now with only 10% containment. It’s on the edge of Carrizo Plain National Monument, a favorite spot of mine. I was just there a few months ago to see [Painted Rock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_Rock_(San_Luis_Obispo_County,_California)). Hopefully they can get the blaze under control before it reaches the area. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2025, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/310 "2025-07-05T21:25:26Z")
For anybody not familiar with this area, it really is quite remote and the fuel is mostly ground vegetation that will recover in a year barring a crazy rainy season before next spring. Most people here in the county seat are unaware of the fire. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/311 "2025-07-05T21:32:54Z")
Gotta love Gov. Newsom’s tweet: “The #MadreFire — which started on federal land Trump manages — is now the LARGEST wildfire of the year. Trump hasn’t said a word. His admin is proposing cuts to the Forest Service instead. Rake your forest, @realDonaldTrump.” ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/312 "2025-08-04T20:07:44Z")
> Evacuations have been ordered in central [California](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/california), as a massive [wildfire](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/california-wildfires) is churning through the brush-covered hillsides in Los Padres national forest. More than 450 structures are under threat by the Gifford fire, and several injuries have been reported. > > The fire had scorched more than 65,000 acres (26,300 hectares) by Monday morning, after the blaze grew out of several smaller fires that erupted Friday along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield. > **[Central California issues evacuation orders after wildfire burns 65,000 acres](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/04/california-evacuations-gifford-fire)** > > More than 450 structures are under threat by the Gifford blaze, with only 3% of its perimeter contained ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/313 "2025-08-07T13:30:01Z")
Gifford keeps growing: > **[California wildfire scorches 83,000 acres and threatens hundreds of structures](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/05/california-gifford-wildfire)** > > The Gifford fire has spread through Los Padres forest, prompting evacuations and injuring at least three people Surprising research: > **[Los Angeles wildfires may be linked to 440 deaths, new research estimates | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/06/us/los-angeles-wildfires-440-excess-deaths-study)** > > The wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles earlier this year — burning entire neighborhoods to the ground, straining firefighting resources and forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes — may have led to hundreds more deaths than were... ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/314 "2025-08-07T15:08:36Z")
FWIW, there is a whole lot of nothing in eastern SLO and SB counties. Barely any trees let alone structures. All of the really populated areas are upwind (West) of the fire. I’m curious about the location of the hundreds of structures that are endangered. Hopefully they’ll get this contained before any separate fires erupt closer to the coastal cities. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/315 "2025-08-07T19:38:05Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > FWIW, there is a whole lot of nothing in eastern SLO and SB counties. Barely any trees let alone structures. All of the really populated areas are upwind (West) of the fire. I’m curious about the location of the hundreds of structures that are endangered. You are correct, but there is New Cuyama, however I think those ‘structures” would mostly be ranching sheds, etc. Not many homes. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/316 "2025-08-13T23:00:40Z")
Well, shit! This is the view from my roof in San Luis Obispo. [![](https://i.postimg.cc/gJ4D33JB/IMG-3681.jpg) ](https://i.postimg.cc/gJ4D33JB/IMG-3681.jpg) This fire has been spreading northwest against the wind for the last week. I’m not sure what kind of protection, if any, that ridge affords us. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/317 "2025-08-13T23:08:12Z")
Oh shit. You are in my thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/318 "2025-08-13T23:11:35Z")
Wow. I almost even recognize that roof line, but not quite. That _is_ scary! I’ve heard from other friends in the area who are also worried. Take good care and have that go bag ready! My best to you! ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/319 "2025-08-13T23:20:36Z")
Good news! Just got word that this was set by firefighters. They intend to control burn 50,000 acres. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707/320 "2025-08-13T23:29:05Z")
\< Whew \> So glad to hear it! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707.md?page=17)