This article was last updated at 9:52 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 4. For the latest updates on the Gifford Fire, click here.
UPDATE (9:52 a.m.) - In San Luis Obispo County, evacuation zones SLC-311, SLC-312, and SLC-334 are now under evacuation warnings.
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UPDATE (5:54 a.m.) - The Gifford Fire has now grown to 65,062 acres, according to CAL FIRE. Containment remains constant at 3%.
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UPDATE (6:45 p.m.) - CAL FIRE reports that the Gifford Fire has now burned 49,761 acres.
Containment has gone down to 3%, according to the agency.
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UPDATE (4:45 p.m.) - The San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services has issued an additional evacuation warning for Zone SLC-240.
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UPDATE (3:20 p.m.) - New evacuation orders and warnings have been issued in San Luis Obispo County due to the Gifford Fire.
According to the San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services, Zones SLC-263 and LPF-014 have been upgraded to an evacuation order.
New evacuation warnings have also been issued for Zones LPF-011, LPF-013, SLC-239, SLC-225, SLC-264, SLC-298, and SLC-262.
CAL FIRE reports that the Gifford Fire is still 5% contained at 39,676 acres.
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UPDATE (11:20 a.m.) - Several evacuation orders and warnings have been upgraded in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties Sunday morning due to the Gifford Fire.
In Santa Barbara County, the evacuation warning in Zone SBC-169A has been upgraded to an evacuation order.
Zone SBC-169B is now under an evacuation warning.
In San Luis Obispo County, Zone LPF-015 has also been upgraded to an evacuation order.
SBCOEM officials say a temporary evacuation point has been established at the Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center at 4689 Highway 166 in New Cuyama.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reports that 360 residences are now threatened by the Gifford Fire.
561 personnel have been assigned to fight the blaze, according to fire authorities.
The County of Santa Barbara Health Department says the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Grounds are now open for large animals affected by the Gifford Fire.
For help transporting livestock, community members can call Santa Barbara County Animal Services at (805) 681-4332.
Officials add that domestic and small animals impacted by the fire are still being accepted at several animal shelters, including the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society in Buellton and the Santa Barbara County Animal Services locations in Santa Maria, Goleta, and Lompoc.
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ORIGINAL (7:13 a.m.) - While acreage grew once again overnight on the Gifford Fire, containment efforts did not.
The fire has scorched 39,676 acres and remained 5 percent contained as of Sunday morning, according to CAL FIRE. More than 560 personnel are currently assigned to it.
The Gifford Fire is made up of a series of fires that broke out Friday afternoon off Highway 166 east of Santa Maria.
WATCH: Ranchers lose cattle in Gifford Fire
It's burning in steep and rugged terrain, with the majority of the fire activity Saturday happening south of Highway 166 in the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara County, according to a forest service spokesperson.
The area is just west of the Madre Fire burn area. Fire officials are hoping burn scars from that fire will help in control efforts for the Gifford Fire. They also say they were better prepared for this fire, already having access to certain gates they had difficulty getting through last month, calling the process “more streamlined and efficient.”
Three people have been injured by the fire so far. One civilian, who reportedly suffered burn injuries, and two contractors involved in a UTV rollover.
As of Saturday night, 60 structures were threatened and evacuation warnings and orders had been issued to 226 people, including:
Orders:
- LPF-016
- LPF-017
- LPF-018
- LPF-019
- LPF-165
- SLC-335
- SLC-336
- SLC-337
- SBC-159A
- SBC-161A
- SBC-163
- SBC-167
Warnings:
San Luis Obispo County
- LPF-015
- SLC-297
Santa Barbara County
- SBC-159B
- SBC-161B
- SBC-169-A
A temporary evacuation center is now open at Benjamin Foxen Elementary School, 4949 Foxen Canyon Rd., in Santa Maria.
Highway 166 remains closed between Highway 101 and New Cuyama. There is no estimated time for reopening.
WATCH: Firefighters battle large flames on day 1 of Gifford Fire
For evacuees needing help with livestock or large animals due to the fire, call Santa Barbara County Animal Services at (805) 681-4332.
Other pets can be brought to the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society at 111 Commerce Dr. in Buellton.
Air quality alerts and watches have also been issued for Santa Barbara County due to the fire.
To sign up for emergency alerts in San Luis Obispo County, click here. For Santa Barbara County, click here.
The cause is listed as under investigation.
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