Gifford Fire

Fire officials say progress is steady on the Gifford Fire burning in California’s Central Coast. Since August 1st, the blaze has scorched more than 131,000 acres and is 95% contained.

Gifford Fire containment is increasing, but the fire is still burning in many areas across more than 132,000 acres. As firefighting efforts wind down, new challenges are emerging, including erosion prevention.

With the Gifford Fire now the largest wildfire in California this year, Assembly Member Dawn Addis gathered state leaders and insurance experts to help Central Coast homeowners better protect their property and coverage.

Firefighters gained ground on the Gifford Fire, which continues to burn along the eastern edge of California’s Central Coast. With cooler weather on the way and containment slowly improving, crews are pushing forward with strategic operations.

The Gifford Fire has burned more than 122,000 acres in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, and it's still about 20 miles from Santa Margarita.

As the Gifford Fire enters its second week, the American Red Cross has opened a 24-hour evacuation shelter at New Life Student Center in Pismo Beach for residents displaced by the fire.

The ongoing Gifford Fire in eastern San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties continues to spread as containment increases.

San Luis Obispo County supervisors unanimously voted to approve a resolution that aims to bring more state and federal resources to the victims of the Gifford Fire. It’s called the Proclamation of Local Emergency and it allows the county to request funding within 60 days of the resolution’s passage.

As firefighters battle the massive Gifford Fire on California’s Central Coast, they’re not just putting out flames—they’re making split second decisions that affect lives. One of the tough decisions? When to shut down a highway.

Fire officials describe the fire as unpredictable because the topography in mountainous areas causes wind gusts to move erratically.