This article was last updated at 6 a.m. on Thursday, August 7. For the latest on the Gifford Fire, click here.
GIFFORD FIRE:
- 96,106 acres
- 15% contained
- Hwy 166 closed between Hwy 101 and New Cuyama
UPDATE (6:00 a.m.) - The Gifford Fire has now burned 96,106 acres, while containment is up to 15%.
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UPDATE (4:59 a.m.) - The Los Padres National Forest Service has issued additional evacuation orders for SLC-261, SLC-262, SLC-311, SLC-334, which include zones in Huasna Valley and east of Lopez Lake.
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UPDATE (5:13 p.m.) - The Gifford Fire has burned 91,278 acres as of early Wednesday evening, according to CAL FIRE.
New evacuation orders have also been issued for San Luis Obispo County zones SLC-225, SLC-239, SLC-240, SLC-264, and SLC-298. This includes the area north of Chimineas Ranch Road, south of Hubbard Hill, and west of Sprague Hill.
Additional evacuation warnings have been issued for zones SLC-195, SLC-196, SLC-197, and SLC-226. This includes the area south of Highway 58 and west of Soda Lake Road.
Click here for a map of the affected evacuation zones.
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UPDATE (1:52 p.m.) - The temporary evacuation point and community resource center at Benjamin Foxen Elementary School will be deactivated and closed at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The community meeting hosted by Gifford Fire officials, scheduled for Wednesday evening, will be held at the Cuyama Valley Recreation District building located at 4885 Primero Street in New Cuyama. Officials will provide details about the current fire situation and answer questions from the public. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.
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(11:34 a.m.) - Emergency officials announced new evacuation orders in San Luis Obispo County on Wednesday due to the Gifford Fire.
The orders include zones LPF-011, LPF-013, and SLC-297. This includes the area south of Pine Mountain Road and Garcia Ridge, north of Haystack Canyon, and east of Pine Creek. People in these areas are advised to leave immediately.
Evacuation warnings are also in effect for zones LPF-002, LPF-003, LPF-009, LPF-010, LPF-012, SLC-224, and SLC-261.
To check if your address is included in an evacuation order or warning in San Luis Obispo County, click here.
For information on evacuation orders and warnings in Santa Barbara County, click here.
As of Wednesday morning, fire officials report the Gifford Fire has burned 83,933 acres and is 9% contained. Those numbers are the same as the numbers reported Tuesday night.
The Gifford Fire broke out along Highway 166 east of Santa Maria on Friday, August 1, and continues to burn on both sides of the highway in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
Highway 166 remains closed between Highway 101 and New Cuyama with no estimated time of reopening.
Both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties have activated call centers for residents with questions about the Gifford Fire.
- In San Luis Obispo County, call (805) 543-2444
- In Santa Barbara County, call 1-833-688-5551
