The Gifford Fire burning along Highway 166 in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties grew overnight, scorching 39,676 acres as of early Sunday, CalFire reported.

The wildfire, first reported Friday, is 5% contained and continues to burn actively on both sides of Highway 166, with greater spread reported on the south side.

The U.S. Forest Service reported that 561 personnel are actively fighting the Gifford Fire.

The blaze is located about 30 miles east of Santa Maria within the Los Padres National Forest and just west of the burn scar from the recent Madre Fire.

Ground and aerial firefighting resources are engaged in aggressive suppression efforts, with more personnel and equipment on the way, CalFire said.

Evacuation Orders, Warnings, and Road Closures

Evacuation orders are in effect for several areas in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. In Santa Barbara County, mandatory evacuations have been issued for zones SBC-159A, SBC-161A, SBC-163, and SBC-167.

In San Luis Obispo County, zones SLC-335, SLC-336, and SLC-337 are under evacuation orders.

Within the Los Padres National Forest, evacuation orders include zones LPF-016, LPF-017, LPF-018, LPF-019, and LPF-165.

Evacuation warnings, which urge residents to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice, are in effect for LPF-015 and SLC-297 in San Luis Obispo County, and SBC-159B, SBC-161B, and SBC-169-A in Santa Barbara County.

Highway 166 is closed between Highway 101 and New Cuyama.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No injuries or damage to structures have been reported.

Updates are available on the Gifford Fire page on InciWeb.

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