California Wildfire Burns 72,460 Acres, Threatens Hundreds of Structures

A wildfire in California that covers two counties, and prompted evacuation orders and threatened hundreds of structures, has grown to 72,460 acres.

The fire is threatening more than 870 structures, according to CalFire.

At least three people have been injured in the Gifford Fire, which began on August 1 from multiple smaller fires along State Route 166, covering areas in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Evacuation orders are in place for zones in San Luis Obispo County and seven zones in Santa Barbara County. Several evacuation warnings are also in effect.

Containment on the fire has grown to 7%. Firefighters report progress was made on the west, north and east flanks of the fire, while they have also made progress in constructing contingency lines on the north and south sides of the blaze.

Firefighters were also helped on Monday by afternoon high temperatures in the mid-80s to lower 90s, while relative humidity dropped to 20%. But the fire risk could grow as the week progresses.

“A warming and drying trend is expected to continue from Wednesday through the weekend,” an update from a firefighting agency states. “Thursday and Friday will see 90 to 100 degrees, with increasing fire behavior.”

Highway 166 remains closed between Highway 101 and to the southern junction of Highway 33.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters California Wildfire