An explosion at a fireworks warehouse in northern California caused several fires, sending black smoke into the air and forcing evacuations, authorities said. There were no immediate reports of injuries. People were urged to avoid the area of Esparto and Madison for several The Madre Fire was reported shortly after noon Wednesday, July 2, along Highway 166 about 25 miles east of Santa Maria. Seasonal Outlook Across both Northern and Southern California, spring 2025 was warmer and drier than normal. In Southern California, precipitation since October was about 70% of average, with consistently above-average temperatures in May. Northern California experienced below-normal rainfall, a notable heat wave at the end of May, and about 2,400 lightning strikes—well below the 10-year A massive explosion tore through a fireworks warehouse in Yolo County, California on Tuesday evening, triggering widespread fires and forcing mandatory evacuations across a rural section of the state’s agricultural heartland. Map of active wildfires burning across California. Explore wildfire history and when fire season starts in California. A fast-moving wildfire in California’s San Luis Obispo County exploded in size overnight and has now burned more than 35,000 acres, making it the state’s largest wildfire so far this year. Officials predict above-normal significant wildfire activity in much of Northern California in July and August 2025 due to a hot summer forecast combined with lush and likely very Latest Cal Fire updates on wildfires across California. Map shows acres burned, containment of California fires. Authorities say an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in northern California has caused several fires, sending black smoke into the air and forcing some evacuations. Seven people missing after explosions rip through California fireworks warehouse, igniting wildfire Smoke and flames rise at a fireworks warehouse near Esparto, Calif., on Tuesday. Fire potential across California is expected to increase steadily through summer, with both North and South Operations forecasting above-normal large fire activity by July and August. In Southern California, the threat is driven by persistent drought, high grass loads, and weakening coastal moisture. Here are Northern California Fourth of July events, fireworks shows in 2025 From the Sacramento area to Lake Tahoe, here are some events to check out this Fourth of July holiday. Seven people remained unaccounted for a day after an explosion at a warehouse storing fireworks in Northern California, the authorities said on Wednesday. A fire broke out in the warehouse just Sudden flames ignited a warehouse storing fireworks in rural Northern California, causing an explosion with an impromptu pyrotechnic display ahead of the Fourth of July. The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon, around 5:50 p.m. in the rural town of Esparto, Yolo County, per CBS. Local NBC affiliate KCRA 3 News captured live one of the big explosions. The warehouse can be seen on fire with Thursday will feel slightly less warmer in Northern California as a breeze helps cool off the region, but wildfire risk persists in some areas. The timing of "fire season" in California is variable, depending on the amount of prior winter and spring precipitation, the frequency and severity of weather such as heat waves and wind events, and moisture content in vegetation. Northern California typically sees wildfire activity between late spring and early fall, peaking in the summer with hotter and drier conditions. Occasional cold Many fireworks shows are canceled in Northern California due to a warehouse explosion in Yolo County on Tuesday evening. This week, a wave of lightning strikes hit inland Northern California, causing small fires to spark up throughout the region. Despite hundreds of strikes, though, fire agencies in Humboldt County As wildfire activity surges across the country, fire departments are preparing for what is expected to be a volatile wildland fire season lasting until July 2025. The National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) reports significantly increased fire potential in several U.S. regions driven by drought expansion and above-average temperatures. In the summer of 2025, wildfires in California are projected to be average to more severe depending on where you live in the state, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. In the
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