Overview

• Ignited Friday under unknown circumstances, the Gifford Fire has spread rapidly across more than 290 square kilometers of Los Padres National Forest.
• Nearly 1,900 firefighters and support personnel remain deployed despite containment holding at 3% as of Monday night.
• Officials warn that over 870 structures are threatened and have ordered about 970 people to evacuate, closing a highway east of Santa Maria.
• At least three people have been injured and local ranchers are relocating livestock to protect herds from advancing flames.
• Drought-fueled heat and low humidity have left vegetation tinder-dry, pushing mid-season burn area to more than twice last year’s total.