Overview

• The blaze erupted at 1:07 p.m. July 2 near New Cuyama in Los Padres National Forest, where gusty winds and heavy fuels drove its rapid overnight spread.
• A unified command led by the U.S. Forest Service with Cal Fire, the Bureau of Land Management and local agencies has deployed more than 200 personnel and multiple air tankers to secure about 5% of the perimeter.
• San Luis Obispo County officials have issued mandatory evacuations for residences near the fire and Caltrans has closed State Route 166 from U.S. 101 to Perkins Road indefinitely to protect travelers and support firefighting efforts.
• Smoke drifting into Santa Barbara and Ventura counties triggered air-quality warnings, with the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District advising residents to limit outdoor exposure.
• The fire’s early-season intensity underscores unusually volatile 2025 conditions and echoes trends from the destructive 2020–2021 seasons as climate-driven heat and drought intensify wildfire behavior.