Gifford Fire grows to nearly 84,000 acres. See maps, latest info.
The fire has consumed 83,933 acres and is 9% contained, according to a Cal Fire update, which comes as Southern Californians also face the Rosa and Gold fires
The Gifford wildfire, which the Los Padres National Forest said threatens over 800 structures, has injured three people, one of whom was treated for burn injuries. It has also prompted evacuation orders for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
"Thursday could see temperatures into the triple digits, with an increase in fire behavior," according to an evening update on Tuesday, Aug. 5. "The warming and drying trend is expected to continue through the weekend."
According to Cal Fire's list of wildfires in 2025, the Gifford Fire is the largest this year, coming amid the agency's forecast of 'above-normal large fire activity by July and August.'
Where is the Gifford Fire in California?
The Gifford Fire is burning within the Los Padres National Forest and is northeast of Santa Maria in Santa Barbara County. Officials noted over the weekend that the fire was near the Madre Fire burn scar. That wildfire, which broke out in early July, burned over 80,000 acres in San Luis Obispo County.
When did the Gifford Fire start?
The Gifford Fire began on Aug. 1, when firefighters responded to reports of multiple wildfires along Highway 166 west of Cuyama, according to an incident report. The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation, officials said.
Latest wildfires in U.S.
In California, at least seven smaller fires erupted across the state on Aug. 4, according to Cal Fire. The largest of those blazes included two fires in Southern California.
Contributing: Karina Zaiets, Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY
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