California Wildfire Spreads to 259sq km, Threatening Hundreds of Homes

A massive wildfire, the Gifford Fire, has spread to 259 sq km in central California, threatening hundreds of homes and injuring at least three people. The fire spans over 100 sq miles, with only 3% containment, and firefighters are struggling to contain it before sundowner winds pick up. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A massive wildfire, known as the Gifford Fire, has rapidly spread across over 100 square miles (259 square km) in central California, posing a significant threat to hundreds of homes and injuring at least three people. The fire, which began on August 1, 2025, is currently active and only 5% contained, according to the latest updates from the California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT 5) [1].

The Gifford Fire has grown out of several smaller fires that erupted along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield on Friday. The blaze now spans portions of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, with more than 450 structures under threat [2]. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but authorities are working diligently to contain it before sundowner winds intensify the situation.

The National Weather Service has issued warnings about erratic afternoon gusts that could reach 25 mph (40 kph) in the affected area, potentially exacerbating the fire's spread. More than 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze in hot and dry conditions, with some minor injuries reported among the firefighters and one civilian hospitalized with burn injuries [2].

The state has issued evacuation orders for several zones in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, with warnings also in place for areas farther out from the perimeter of the fire [1]. Highway 166 remains closed between Highway 101 and New Cuyama, posing significant transportation challenges for residents and emergency services.

The Gifford Fire is just one of a dozen active wildfires in California, with three of them burning more than 15,000 acres. The state is experiencing a developing flash drought and early-season dryness, which is pushing conditions towards critical levels faster than usual. This early and active season is expected to continue into September, raising concerns about the potential for more wildfires and their impact on local economies and infrastructure [3].

References:
[1] https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/8/1/gifford-fire/updates/3225a2df-89bc-4251-b39c-693e4fe17955
[2] https://apnews.com/article/gifford-wildfires-california-santa-barbara-los-padres-f1ecdece016cdc8ece5c5162926964f8
[3] https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/california-wildfire-evacuations/2025/08/04/id/1221228/