By Famartin
A devastating wildfire erupted on Monday in central California, threatening hundreds of homes and injuring at least three people as it ravaged through the Los Padres National Forest.
The Gifford Fire, which has already scorched more than 100 square miles (260 square kilometers) across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, remains out of control, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
The fire’s destructive path led to a series of injuries. A motorist was hospitalized with severe burn injuries after attempting to flee their vehicle, only to be overtaken by the advancing flames, reported Flemming Bertelson, a spokesperson for the US Forest Service. In addition, two contract workers who were assisting firefighters sustained injuries when their all-terrain vehicle overturned while navigating the fire zone. As of now, the fire has threatened around 450 structures and led to the closure of State Route 166 in both directions, east of Santa Maria, a city of approximately 110,000 people located in Santa Barbara County.
The fire is particularly devastating in the hilly agricultural areas of central California, which are known for their wine production and dense groves of live oaks and sycamore trees. The blaze, which started as at least four smaller fires on Friday, has rapidly grown into a massive, multi-front inferno that now stretches over a broad area. The initial fires, which ignited along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield, quickly spread as winds and dry conditions fanned the flames in multiple directions. “That gave us multiple fronts, and the flames began to spread out rapidly in all directions,” said Bertelson.
As firefighters battle the blaze, ranchers have been forced to evacuate cattle, while aerial crews continue to drop water to slow the fire’s advance. Over 1,000 firefighters are working tirelessly to combat the flames, with the added challenges of scorching temperatures and unpredictable winds. The situation remains dire, especially with conditions expected to worsen as winds are forecast to increase around dusk.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, which has wreaked havoc on an already parched region. With the fire continuing to burn, the community is bracing for more dangerous conditions in the coming days.
