The Madre Fire in central California expanded to nearly 53,000 in one day, making it the largest wildfire this year in California.

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.

Pushed by fast winds, a fire burned more than 3,000 acres within two hours Wednesday afternoon along the border between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.