Latest news with #Bertelson
New York Post
6 days ago
- Climate
- New York Post
Massive wildfire breaks out in central California, injuring at least 3 people
A massive wildfire on Monday was threatening hundreds of homes in central California after injuring at least three people as it tore through Los Padres National Forest. The Gifford Fire scorched more than 100 square miles (260 square km) of coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and was still burning out of control, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. A motorist was hospitalized with burn injuries after getting out of his vehicle and being overrun by flames, said Flemming Bertelson, a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service. 4 A massive wildfire on Monday was threatening hundreds of homes in central California after injuring at least three people as it tore through Los Padres National Forest. AP Two contract employees assisting firefighters were also hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned. The blaze threatened about 450 structures and forced the closure of the highway in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 people in Santa Barbara County. About 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of Santa Barbara and 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, the hilly agricultural region is dotted by sprawling California live oaks and Sycamore trees and is known for its wine industry. The blaze grew out of at least four smaller fires that erupted Friday along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield. 4 Smoke from the Gifford Fire fills the sky as the sun sets over Los Padres National Forest, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. AP 4 The blaze grew out of at least four smaller fires that erupted Friday along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield. 4 An air tanker drops retardant on the Gifford Fire burning on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, in Los Padres National Forest, Calif. AP 'That gave us multiple fronts, and the flames started fanning out in many directions,' Bertelson said. 'The fire is gobbling up chaparral and brushland and running up very steep slopes.' Ranchers evacuated cattle as aircraft made water drops on the encroaching flames. More than 1,000 firefighters were battling hot, dry weather and erratic winds to make progress against the blaze before winds were forecast to whip up around dusk. The causes of the fires are under investigation.
National Observer
6 days ago
- Climate
- National Observer
Massive central California wildfire threatens homes, injures three people as it burns out of control
A massive wildfire on Monday was threatening hundreds of homes in central California after injuring at least three people as it tore through Los Padres National Forest. The Gifford Fire scorched more than 100 square miles (260 square km) of coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and was still burning out of control, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. A motorist was hospitalized with burn injuries after getting out of his vehicle and being overrun by flames, said Flemming Bertelson, a spokesperson for the US Forest Service. Two contract employees assisting firefighters were also hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned. The blaze threatened about 450 structures and forced the closure of the highway in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 people in Santa Barbara County. About 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of Santa Barbara and 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, the hilly agricultural region is dotted by sprawling California live oaks and Sycamore trees and is known for its wine industry. The blaze grew out of at least four smaller fires that erupted Friday along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield. 'That gave us multiple fronts, and the flames started fanning out in many directions,' Bertelson said. 'The fire is gobbling up chapparal and brushland and running up very steep slopes.'
6 days ago
- Climate
Massive wildfire in central California threatens homes, injures 3 people as it burns out of control
SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- A massive wildfire on Monday was threatening hundreds of homes in central California after injuring at least three people as it tore through Los Padres National Forest. The Gifford Fire scorched more than 100 square miles (260 square km) of coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and was still burning out of control, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. A motorist was hospitalized with burn injuries after getting out of his vehicle and being overrun by flames, said Flemming Bertelson, a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service. Two contract employees assisting firefighters were also hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned. The blaze threatened about 450 structures and forced the closure of the highway in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 people in Santa Barbara County. About 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of Santa Barbara and 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, the hilly agricultural region is dotted by sprawling California live oaks and Sycamore trees and is known for its wine industry. The blaze grew out of at least four smaller fires that erupted Friday along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield. 'That gave us multiple fronts, and the flames started fanning out in many directions,' Bertelson said. 'The fire is gobbling up chapparal and brushland and running up very steep slopes.' Ranchers evacuated cattle as aircraft made water drops on the encroaching flames. More than 1,000 firefighters were battling hot, dry weather and erratic winds to make progress against the blaze before winds were forecast to whip up around dusk. The causes of the fires are under investigation.
NBC News
6 days ago
- Climate
- NBC News
Massive wildfire in central California threatens homes, injures 3 people as it burns out of control
SANTA MARIA, Calif. — A massive wildfire on Monday was threatening hundreds of homes in central California after injuring at least three people as it tore through Los Padres National Forest. The Gifford Fire scorched more than 100 square miles of coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and was still burning out of control, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. A motorist was hospitalized with burn injuries after getting out of his vehicle and being overrun by flames, said Flemming Bertelson, a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service. Two contract employees assisting firefighters were also hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned. The blaze threatened about 450 structures and forced the closure of the highway in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 people in Santa Barbara County. About 65 miles northwest of Santa Barbara and 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles, the hilly agricultural region is dotted by sprawling California live oaks and Sycamore trees and is known for its wine industry. The blaze grew out of at least four smaller fires that erupted Friday along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield. 'That gave us multiple fronts, and the flames started fanning out in many directions,' Bertelson said. 'The fire is gobbling up chapparal and brushland and running up very steep slopes.' Ranchers evacuated cattle as aircraft made water drops on the encroaching flames. More than 1,000 firefighters were battling hot, dry weather and erratic winds to make progress against the blaze before winds were forecast to whip up around dusk. The causes of the fires are under investigation.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Massive wildfire in central California threatens homes as it burns out of control
SANTA MARIA: A massive wildfire on Monday was threatening hundreds of homes in central California after injuring at least three people as it tore through Los Padres National Forest. The Gifford Fire scorched more than 100 square miles (260 square km) of coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and was still burning out of control, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. A motorist was hospitalized with burn injuries after getting out of his vehicle and being overrun by flames, said Flemming Bertelson, a spokesperson for the US Forest Service. Two contract employees assisting firefighters were also hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned. The blaze threatened about 450 structures and forced the closure of the highway in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 people in Santa Barbara County. About 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of Santa Barbara and 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, the hilly agricultural region is dotted by sprawling California live oaks and Sycamore trees and is known for its wine industry. The blaze grew out of at least four smaller fires that erupted Friday along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield. 'That gave us multiple fronts, and the flames started fanning out in many directions,' Bertelson said. 'The fire is gobbling up chapparal and brushland and running up very steep slopes.' Ranchers evacuated cattle as aircraft made water drops on the encroaching flames. More than 1,000 firefighters were battling hot, dry weather and erratic winds to make progress against the blaze before winds were forecast to whip up around dusk. The causes of the fires are under investigation.
