Update on August 5 at 10:06 a.m.

The Gifford Fire has grown to 82,567 acres and is now the largest fire in California for 2025, according to CalFire.

Firefighters held containment lines along SR166 overnight, though the blaze crossed Alamo Creek to the north, the U.S. Forest Service reported.

Crews redirected dozer lines and built new containment routes toward the transmission line road.

Efforts continue on the fire’s western and northern flanks, while the eastern side remains mostly stable.

A base camp in Santa Margarita is being set up to improve response times.

Temperatures are expected to rise into the 90s this week with low humidity and gusty winds, which could intensify fire behavior.

The U.S. Forest Service reports that 872 structures are threatened. They said that 1,930 personnel are fighting the blaze with 115 engines, 23 dozers, 40 hand crews, and 30 water tenders.

Original Story

The Gifford Fire has burned more than 72,460 acres as of Tuesday morning, with containment at just 7%, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

1,930 personnel have been assigned to battle the wildfire, which remains active on both sides of Highway 166, according to CalFire.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 took command of the fire on Sunday.

The blaze, which ignited on Friday, Aug. 1, northeast of Santa Maria, is under unified command by Los Padres National Forest and Santa Barbara County Fire.

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

Evacuation Orders, Warnings

Evacuation orders are in effect for several areas in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, according to CalFire.

In San Luis Obispo County, evacuation orders include zones LPF-014, LPF-015, LPF-016, LPF-017, LPF-018, LPF-019, SLC-335, SLC-336, and SLC-337.

In Santa Barbara County, mandatory evacuation zones include LPF-165, SBC-159-A, SBC-161-A, SBC-163, SBC-167, SBC-169-A, and SBC-169-B.

Evacuation warnings have also been issued for nearby zones.

In San Luis Obispo County, warnings are in place for SLC-225, SLC-239, SLC-240, SLC-262, SLC-264, SLC-297, SLC-298, SLC-311, SLC-312, SLC-334, LPF-011, and LPF-013.

In Santa Barbara County, warning zones include SBC-159-B, SBC-161-B, and SBC-172.

Road Closures, Evacuation Points, Animal Evacuations

Highway 166 remains closed between Highway 101 and New Cuyama.

Temporary evacuation points have been set up at Benjamin Foxen Elementary School in Santa Maria (4949 Foxen Canyon Rd) and at the Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center in New Cuyama (4689 Highway 166).

The Santa Maria site will operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. while the New Cuyama site is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both will be operational on Tuesday.

The Elks Rodeo Grounds at 4040 Highway 101 in Santa Maria is open for large animal evacuation, entrance is through the Morningside Drive Gate 2.

For small and domestic animals, shelters are available at 548 W Foster Rd in Santa Maria, 1501 W Central Ave in Lompoc, 5473 Overpass Rd in Goleta, and 111 Commerce Dr in Buellton, with varying closing times.

Residents needing sheltering assistance are encouraged to call the American Red Cross at (805) 678-3073.

For help with evacuating animals, the County Animal Services Disaster Hotline is available at (805) 681-4332.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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