Update on August 2 at 11:06 a.m.

The Gifford Fire has burned 23,588 acres and remains just 5% contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Flames are actively spreading on both sides of Highway 166 through dense brush and steep terrain.

Highway 166 remains closed between Highway 101 and New Cuyama.

Original Story

A wildfire burning in the Los Padres National Forest has exploded to 12,400 acres since igniting Friday northeast of Santa Maria, prompting evacuations and drawing in additional firefighting resources, CalFire said Saturday morning.

The Gifford Fire, which ignited with multiple start points along Highway 166, is now 5% contained.

It is burning in rugged terrain about 30 miles east of Santa Maria, spanning parts of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

CalFire said the incident is located just west of the recent Madre Fire, which burned 80,779 acres.

The cause of the Gifford Fire remains under investigation.

Evacuation Orders in Effect

Evacuation orders remain in effect for zones LPF-016, LPF-017, LPF-019, and SLC-337.

Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service and Santa Barbara County Fire Department are operating under a unified command, supported by ground and aerial crews.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 is expected to assume control of the fire Saturday evening, CalFire said.

The Kern County Fire Department also reported on social media that they are deploying a strike team to the Gifford Fire on Saturday.

The fire remains under federal jurisdiction and is not being managed by CalFire.

Updates are available on the Gifford Fire page on InciWeb.

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