The Madre Fire, now the largest wildfire in California this year, expanded to 79,630 acres by Saturday, July 5, prompting expanded evacuation orders and worsening air quality across parts of

A fast-moving California wildfire exploded to become the state’s biggest of the year, forcing evacuations and the closure of a highway, and evoking memories of the devastating blazes that laid waste to parts of the state in January.

The bulk of the fire is threatening the Carrizo Plain National Monument, which is home to several endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species.

California's Madre Fire sparked in the late evening of July 3 but has since grown to the largest in the state this year by the Fourth.

The fire has prompted evacuation orders, warnings and highway closures in San Luis Obispo County about 100 miles north of Los Angeles.