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NEW CUYAMA, Calif. – A fast-moving wildfire dubbed the Gifford Fire has scorched nearly 40,000 acres in Southern California, forcing residents to evacuate and prompting officials to shut down portions of Highway 166. The fire is burning inside the Los Padres National Forest across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties and was only 5% contained as of Sunday morning.
The blaze erupted on Friday afternoon west of Cuyama and has rapidly expanded in rugged terrain, making firefighting efforts difficult. Officials say the fire behavior remains aggressive due to thick brush, dry conditions, and gusty winds forecasted in the region.
Fire Growth and Response Efforts
By early Sunday, the fire had exploded to 39,676 acres, growing overnight in the area near Plowshare Peak. Firefighters are working around the clock using air tankers, helicopters, and ground crews, with support from local, state, and federal agencies.
“The terrain is steep, heavily vegetated, and extremely challenging,” said officials from San Luis Obispo County’s Office of Emergency Services.
The fire’s location is near where the Madre Fire — California’s largest wildfire of the year so far — burned over 80,000 acres just weeks ago before being fully contained on July 28.
Evacuations and Highway Closures
Evacuation orders remain in place for areas near the fire in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, with additional evacuations issued Sunday morning as the blaze spread rapidly. Residents in the affected zones have been advised to gather emergency supplies and be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
Highway 166, which cuts through the forest area, has been closed in multiple stretches, particularly west of Cuyama, as the fire burns on both sides of the roadway. Officials urge drivers to avoid the region entirely and to follow detour signs and emergency instructions.
Injuries Reported
According to the U.S. Forest Service, three individuals were injured as a result of the fire:
- One civilian was airlifted to a hospital for serious burn injuries
- Two contractors were hurt in a UTV rollover while responding to the fire
All victims were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center for treatment. Their current conditions have not been released.
Weather Concerns Fueling the Fire
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard warned that elevated fire weather is likely to continue into the week. Gusty winds, low humidity, and dry fuels are creating dangerous conditions for continued fire growth.
Fire officials also expressed concern that new fires could ignite under current weather conditions, stretching resources already committed to the Gifford Fire.
Looking Ahead
At this time, there is no estimated date for full containment. Fire crews are continuing their aerial and ground-based suppression efforts, focusing on protecting structures, critical infrastructure, and natural resources in the path of the fire.
Officials remind residents to:
- Sign up for local emergency alerts
- Prepare go-bags with essentials in case of evacuation
- Stay updated via local news outlets and official fire websites
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