A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California has exploded in size. Dry, hot weather is raising the fire risk for large portions of the state ahead of the July Fourth holiday.

The Madre fire burning in San Luis Obispo County has grown to become the largest wildfire California has seen this year. It comes after Southern California was ravaged by wildfires in January, which resulted in the widespread destruction of homes and the deaths of at least 29 people.

The fire sparked in the Los Padres National Forest in San Luis Obispo County and was growing exponentially, officials warned. The area is mostly uninhabited.