California's Gifford Fire consumes over 72,000 acres as dry conditions challenge firefighters

NEW CUYAMA, Calif. – The largest wildfire currently burning in California grew to more than 82,000 acres. The Gifford Fire burning in Los Padres National Forest in Southern California prompted additional evacuations across two counties on Monday evening, with little relief from dangerous fire weather conditions in sight.

The Gifford Fire has scorched 82,576 acres as of Tuesday evening, and containment has remained at 7%, according to officials from Los Padres National Forest.

They expect the wildfire to continue to grow as dry conditions persist with no rain in the forecast for the next week. The flames are threatening more than 870 buildings.

Heavy smoke was seen across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties on Monday, although no air quality alerts are currently in place.

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The wildfire started along Highway 166 west of Cayama on Friday afternoon.

The fire is burning within the national forest, consuming thick brush along both sides of Highway 166, with most of the fire in Santa Barbara County.

According to the U.s. Forest Service, additional firefighting resources have been brought in to combat the fire burning in rugged terrain.

Nearly 2,000 fire personnel are responding to the blaze.

Video shared by the Forest Service shows an air tanker making a water drop on the blaze.

The fire is burning just west of the recent Madre Fire, which became California's largest wildfire of the year on July 3. The Madre Fire was fully contained on July 28 after burning more than 80,000 acres, according to the Forest Service.

Officials said the Madre Fire's burn scar should help contain the northeastern portion of the Gifford Fire as those fuels have already been consumed.

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Additional evacuations were issued Monday evening across both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties after initial orders were issued over the weekend.

Both counties have established evacuation centers.

Forest Service officials said three people were injured because of the fire. One civilian was taken by helicopter to the hospital for burn injuries. Two contractors were injured in a UTV rollover incident. All the victims were taken to Marian Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Fire weather conditions will continue to deteriorate this week.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, no rain is expected in the area within the next seven days and humidity will remain low.

According to the National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard, Southern California faces elevated fire behavior with gusty winds in the week ahead. Under these conditions, abnormally elevated fire behavior and growth are possible.

Forecasters are tracking smoke moving across Southern California from the Gifford Fire.

Original article source: California's Gifford Fire consumes over 72,000 acres as dry conditions challenge firefighters