Latest news with #ParkFire
Newsweek
11-08-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Gifford Fire Update, Map as Blaze Reaches 'Megafire' Status
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Gifford Fire burning in central California has burned more than 119,000 acres as of early Monday, having expanded to reach "megafire" status since it began earlier in August. Newsweek contacted U.S. Forest Service for comment via email on Monday. Why It Matters Three civilians and seven firefighters have been injured by the fire, which has affected portions of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Cal Fire also said the blaze had destroyed at least two structures and threatened nearly 3,000 more. What To Know The Gifford fire began on August 1 from multiple smaller fires along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield. Officials said that more than 4,000 personnel had been involved in firefighting efforts, along with 319 engines, 91 hand crews, 148 dozers, and 53 water tenders. A Watch Duty map shows the approximate location of the blaze along with evacuation orders (red) and warnings (yellow). A Watch Duty map shows the approximate location of the blaze along with evacuation orders (red) and warnings (yellow). Watch Duty The Gifford Fire had burned 119,214 acres according to Cal Fire, surpassing the 100,000 acres needed to be classed as a "megafire" per the U.S. Interagency Fire Center's definition of such an event. California saw one "megafire" in 2024, according to data from the agency—the Park Fire, which burned 429,603 acres and began in July that year. Evacuation orders have been issued for 30 zones in San Luis Obispo County and seven in Santa Barbara County, with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) warning of an immediate threat to life. A further 20 evacuation warnings in San Luis Obispo County and five in Santa Barbara County were also in effect. The agency reported that multiple roads were closed, including Highway 166 from Highway 101 to State Route 33. What People Are Saying Cal Fire San Mateo—Santa Cruz Unit said in a post on X, Monday: "CAL FIRE CZU Strike Team 9175G is fighting the Gifford Fire in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. This team is made up of a Strike Team leader and Monterey Bay Crew 1 and Glenwood 2. "This mega fire passed 100,000 acres on Saturday and these firefighter hand crews are working hard in Division N on the northeast portion of the fire. "Everyone is doing well and working hard building and strengthening control lines, and assisting with firing operations, which involves setting a controlled fire ahead of the main wildfire to remove the fuel like dry grass and brush in the main fire's path." What Happens Next The fire was reported at 33 percent contained at the time of writing. Officials said the cause of the blaze was under investigation.
CTV News
08-08-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
La Loche evacuees arrive in Regina, some complain of support access issues
WATCH: With the Park Fire threatening their community, residents of La Loche have been evacuated to Regina. Wayne Mantyka reports.
Epoch Times
30-07-2025
- General
- Epoch Times
Volunteer Firefighters Fight to Keep Trees One Year After Park Fire
Johnathan Tehan and his father, Dave Tehan, are volunteer firefighters and residents of Cohasset, a small, mountainous community about half an hour north of Chico, California. Last July, they lost their own home as they battled the Park Fire to save other homes in their community.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
California to launch $105 million mortgage fund to aid disaster victims
California will launch a $105 million disaster relief program on Thursday to assist homeowners whose properties were damaged or rendered uninhabitable by recent wildfires and other declared disasters. The CalAssist Mortgage Fund, administered by the California Housing Finance Agency, will provide grants of up to $20,000 — equal to approximately three months of mortgage payments — to eligible homeowners struggling to recover from major disasters. 'Homeowners whose home was destroyed in a recent fire, flood, or other disaster deserve support in their recovery. We know that recovery takes time, and the state is here to support,' Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. The fund will support those affected by disasters declared a state of emergency by the governor or receiving a federal major disaster declaration between January 2023 and January 2025. Incidents include the Eaton Fire, Palisades Fire, Park Fire and Tropical Storm Hilary. A full list of qualified incidents can be found here. CalHFA will also offer $25 million in housing counseling support through its National Mortgage Settlement Housing Counseling Program. None of the new relief funding affects the state's proposed budget for 2025-2026, according to the governor's office. Applications for the grant will open June 12 at The grants do not need to be repaid and are free to apply for. Approved funds will be sent directly to mortgage servicers on behalf of the homeowner. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
From cool to cruel summer? California wildfire risk may rise even closer to coast
From cool to cruel summer? California wildfire risk may rise even closer to coast The National Interagency Fire Center foresees an elevated chance of blazes igniting across much of California from June through August, Show Caption Hide Caption Explaining health risks that wildfire smoke can cause Find out how you can protect yourself from the dangers of wildfire smoke in California and across the country. SAN FRANCISCO – The major heat wave expected in California's Central Valley this weekend will bring triple-digit temperatures and increased fire risk, a harbinger for what figures to be another scorching summer. And this year the typically cool coastal areas may not be spared, raising the possibility of even more widely spread wildfires for a state long beleaguered by them. The summer wildfire outlook by the National Interagency Fire Center foresees an elevated chance of blazes igniting across much of California from June through August, when vegetation has dried after several weeks broiling under the sun with negligible rainfall. Average temperatures in parts of the Golden State are predicted to climb above historical norms for the summer, which is not surprising as the planet continues to warm. But a more unusual phenomenon may be developing. UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said in a recent online presentation that weather models are pointing out a notable difference between the upcoming months and recent summers, when the state's hot spots have been mostly centered on inland areas. Higher temperatures even on the coast 'Once we get past May gray and June gloom season,'' he said, 'the rest of the summer and the fall could be quite a bit warmer along the California coast than the last few years have been, while inland areas once again are fairly likely to experience a near-record warm summer in many cases.'' That's a worrisome prospect after a fire season that included the fourth-largest blaze in state history – the Park Fire outside Chico burned nearly 430,000 acres – and the devastating Los Angeles infernos in January, well past the season's typical end point. Over the weekend, temperatures in Central Valley cities such as Sacramento, Fresno and Bakersfield are expected to climb above 100 degrees. The National Weather Service office in Sacramento has already issued an extreme heat watch from early May 30 through late June 1, warning of the dangers of heat-related injuries. AccuWeather senior meteorologist Scott Homan said the chances of wildfires will also be heightened, especially in Southern California after it received below-average precipitation in the winter and early spring. Most of the region is in a drought, and significant parts are in extreme drought. Increased fire risk this weekend and beyond 'With the occasional offshore breezy conditions, it will further dry out any fuels, and then we'll see an uptick in potential grass fires later this week in the valley areas,'' he said. The National Interagency Fire Center noted the snowpack has been melting faster than usual amid warm weather in the West and will dissipate by late June even in mountain areas that had large accumulations, removing a barrier to wildfire spread over the summer. 'In general, we'll continue to see drier weather,'' Homan said. 'Fire risk will increase, especially in areas that are currently in a moderate drought or at least in a dry pattern from the Central Valley on southward.''
