The Gifford Fire grew to 96,106 acres with 15% containment as of Thursday morning, CalFire reported.

It is the largest wildfire in California so far this year, surpassing the nearby Madre Fire, which burned 80,779 acres.

Late Wednesday night, officials confirmed that three civilians and four firefighters have been injured since the blaze began. They also said 1,515 structures are threatened.

Officials also reported Wednesday that 2,988 personnel are assigned to the Gifford Fire, including 202 engines, 18 water tenders, 19 helicopters, 101 dozers, 76 hand crews, and 498 other resources.

CalFire said the fire is burning on both sides of Highway 166, northeast of Santa Maria.

Evacuation Orders, Warnings

Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for multiple zones in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.

CalFire has warned residents in the following areas that there is an immediate threat to life, and they must leave now:

San Luis Obispo County: LPF-011, LPF-013 through LPF-019, SLC-225, SLC-239, SLC-240, SLC-263, SLC-264, SLC-297, SLC-298, SLC-335, SLC-336, and SLC-337.

Santa Barbara County: LPF-165, SBC-159-A, SBC-161-A, SBC-163, SBC-167, SBC-169-A, and SBC-169-B.

Evacuation warnings have been issued for several other areas:

San Luis Obispo County: LPF-002, LPF-003, LPF-009, LPF-010, LPF-012, SLC-195 through SLC-197, SLC-224, SLC-226, SLC-261, SLC-262, SLC-311, SLC-312, and SLC-334.

Santa Barbara County: SBC-159-B, SBC-161-B, SBC-172, SBC-179, and SBC-229-A.

Road Closures and Evacuation Information

The U.S. Forest Service said evacuation points have been set up at Benjamin Foxen Elementary School in Santa Maria and the Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center, where residents can access relief supplies, including N95 masks, water, and incident information.

The American Red Cross is also offering assistance at (805) 678-3073.

Highway 166 remains closed between Highway 101 and New Cuyama. Non-emergency traffic is also prohibited east of Tempusquet Road and west of Perkins Road.

Large animals can be evacuated to the Elks Rodeo Grounds at 4040 Highway 101 in Santa Maria, with access via the Morningside Drive Gate 2.

For help evacuating livestock, residents are advised to call the County Animal Services Disaster Hotline at (805) 681-4332.

Shelters for small and domestic animals are open at the following locations:

• 548 W Foster Rd, Santa Maria (open until 6 p.m.)
• 1501 W Central Ave, Lompoc (open until 6 p.m.)
• 5473 Overpass Rd, Goleta (open until 6 p.m.)
• 111 Commerce Dr, Buellton (open until 5 p.m.)

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.