A massive wildfire in Central California has scorched more than 82,000 acres and is threatening nearly 900 structures, officials said Tuesday.
The Gifford Fire broke out early Friday afternoon along State Route 166 — about 30 miles east of Santa Maria near the Gifford Trailhead in the Santa Lucia Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest — after four separate ignitions merged into a single wildfire.
At least three people have been injured in the fast-growing blaze, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Two contract employees helping firefighters were injured after their vehicle overturned, while a motorist had to be hospitalized with burn injuries after exiting his vehicle and being overtaken by flames, said Flemming Bertelson, a spokesperson for the agency.
More than 1,900 personnel are battling the fire, which has prompted evacuation orders and warnings in parts of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
As of Tuesday afternoon, only about 7% of the fire had been contained, according to the state’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.
The blaze is burning through steep terrain and producing a large smoke column, said Capt. Scott Safechuck, a spokesperson for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
Much of the fire is in “really inaccessible areas where even bulldozers can’t even get into,” Safechuck said, noting an air tanker had been added to the firefight.
The fire has also prompted the closure of Highway 166 from Highway 101 to New Cuyama.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, officials said.
With News Wire Services
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