Over 1,000 firefighters are battling the rapidly growing Gifford Fire in California, which has scorched over 72,000 acres in the Los Padres National Forest near Solvang. The fire began Friday and has prompted evacuation orders across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. As of Monday, it remains only 3% contained, threatening 460 structures and forcing the closure of Highway 166 as flames burn on both sides of the road.
Officials report three injuries: one civilian hospitalized with burns and two contractor employees hurt in a UTV accident. The fire has grown significantly in grass-dominated and rugged terrain, making containment efforts more challenging. Meanwhile, air quality alerts have been issued in Cuyama and across Santa Barbara County due to heavy smoke, with residents advised to limit outdoor activity—especially vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and those with heart or lung conditions.
The cause of the Gifford Fire is still under investigation. It burns just west of the recently contained Madre Fire, which consumed over 80,000 acres. Additionally, two new wildfires broke out Monday: the Rosa Fire in Riverside County, burning over 1,200 acres, and the Gold Fire in San Bernardino County, which has reached 348 acres with no containment.