UPDATE (1:01 p.m.) - Highway 166 is now open between Highway 101 and New Cuyama.
The highway has been closed since the Gifford Fire broke out on August 1.
Road crews are continuing to make repairs to the highway following the fire. The California Highway Patrol warns that people traveling on Highway 166 through this area should expect delays of up to one hour due to one-lane reversing traffic control from six miles east of Tepusquet Road to Rock Front Ranch.
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(11:26 a.m.) - Firefighters battling the Gifford Fire will continue backfiring operations on Wednesday in the Garcia Wilderness in an attempt to slow the fire’s spread.
Those operations began on Tuesday, and as that work continues, officials say people near the northern perimeter of the fire should expect to see more smoke.
The Gifford Fire broke out on August 1, along Highway 166 east of Santa Maria. As of Wednesday morning, it has burned 125,272 acres across both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. It is currently 37% contained.
The northwest area of the fire remains the firefighters’ main focus, with crews mopping up and patrolling other areas along the fire's perimeter to ensure the fire remains within containment lines.
More than 820 structures remain threatened, and 780 residents are under evacuation orders. Four structures have been confirmed destroyed.
Residents in San Luis Obispo County can check whether their property is included in evacuations by visiting this link.
For the latest information on evacuation orders and warnings in Santa Barbara County, click here.
An evacuation shelter is set up at Santa Margarita Community Hall, located at 22501 I Street. Residents can also call the American Red Cross for assistance at (805) 678-3073.
More than 4,900 personnel are currently assigned to the Gifford Fire.
A fire base camp is set up in Santa Margarita. With school starting, fire officials say they are coordinating with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office to set up a special route for firefighters exiting the camp to avoid crosswalks to protect students walking to and from school.
Highway 166 remains closed between Highway 101 and New Cuyama with no estimated time of reopening.
Other road closures include:
- Huasna Townsite south at Huasna and Huasna East
- Huasna Road restricted to residents and essential traffic only
- Huasna Road East of School Road restricted to residents and essential traffic only
- Lopez at Orcutt restricted to residents and essential traffic only
- Lopez Drive at the dam
- Pozo Road from Las Pilitas Road to Red Hill Road
- Avenales Ranch Road from Pozo Road to the south end
- Parkhill Road from River Road to Pozo Road
- River Road from Parkhill Road to Pozo Road
- Santa Margarita Lake Road
- Pozo Road at Santa Margarita Lake restricted to residents and essential traffic only
- Pozo Road at River Road restricted to residents and essential traffic only
The cause of the fire has not yet been released.
