According to reports by the Santa Maria Times, the Gifford Fire, which is burning on Highway 166 east of Santa Maria, has spread very fast and has now burned an area of about 49,761 acres by Sunday evening, August 4, and that is with just an area of 3 percent under control. Policemen have issued an evacuation in various zones immediately, and the fire is taking place with high intensity.
The fire is speeding across grassy and steep land, and it is burning on the heels of the Madre Fire that was contained just weeks ago. Soaring columns of smoke have covered much of Santa Barbara County, which can be witnessed in the Five Cities up to the Santa Ynez Valley. A time-lapse video of the spreading of the fire went viral and was evidence of the intensity and speed of the fire. That Sunday, the fire swept over the Branch Mountain road to the north, and after passing in front of Pine Canyon on its southeast side, continued to extend itself toward the south as well as the west.
In turn, the evacuation and resources facility has been established at the Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center (4689 Highway 166, New Cuyama). In case of large animals, the Elks Rodeo Grounds (4040 Highway 101, Santa Maria) is available to take shelter, and domestic pets can also be brought to any one of the County Animal Services offices, viz. Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, and Buellton.
All in all, there are about 561 personnel who are actively involved in firefight attempts. Even though the fire falls under the jurisdiction of the federal level, Cal Fire has since come to the rescue and helped in containment. It was confirmed that three were injured, including one civilian with burns on their body and the other two contractors due to a Utility Task Vehicle Rollover.
Authorities have been asking people to evacuate and stay informed as winds change directions and all the conditions are dry, and it is likely to spread the fire even more.
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