A large wildfire erupted on Monday, posed a serious threat to hundreds of homes in Central California, and left at least three people injured in the Los Padres National Forest.
The Gifford Fire has spread over more than 100 square miles (260 square km) across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, as reported by the California Forest Service, or Cal Fire.
Fleming Bertelson from the U.S. Forest Service indicated that one driver was hospitalized with burns after exiting his vehicle and coming into contact with flames.
Additionally, two contract workers who were helping firefighters sustained injuries when their all-terrain vehicle flipped over.
The fire endangered roughly 450 structures and led to closures on highways in both directions, just east of Santa Maria, a city with a population of about 110,000 in Santa Barbara County.
Located about 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Santa Barbara and 150 miles (240 km) northwest of Los Angeles, this hilly area is notable for its agricultural landscape, particularly in the wine industry, famous for California’s Live Oaks and Sycamore trees.
The fire’s intensity escalated after at least four smaller ones ignited along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield on Friday.
“The fire’s spreading in multiple directions, and it’s picking up intensity in the chaparral and brushlands, climbing steep slopes,” Bertelson explained. “It’s creating multiple fronts.”
Meanwhile, a ranch managed to evacuate its cattle while aircraft focused on dousing the flames with water drops.
Over 1,000 firefighters faced challenging conditions, battling hot, dry weather and unpredictable winds, which were expected to increase around sunset.
The investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing.
