A megafire in Central California has led Caltrans to cancel highway construction plans on state Route 33. Originally, the route was to undergo closures for safety improvements, but the Gifford Fire, which has burned over 129,000 acres and is 37% contained, affected proposed detour routes. Maintaining Highway 33 as an evacuation route was prioritized. Future closures are scheduled for late August and September, impacting access to recreational amenities in the area. Traffic surveys indicated lighter traffic on weekends, prompting adjustments to construction schedules.
In early July, Caltrans announced three significant weekend closures on state Route 33, known as the Ojai Freeway, in both directions, as part of a safety and drainage improvement project that extends just past North Fork Matilija Creek Bridge, about 9 miles northwest of downtown.
Out of safety, for the fires, we needed to make sure that we maintained Highway 33 as a road that could be used in case anybody had to leave from the Gifford Fire, Caltrans spokesperson Miranda Myers told SFGATE.
The Gifford Fire started Aug. 1 and has burned over 129,000 acres. As of Wednesday, it was 37% contained and has grown into the state's second-largest wildfire of the year.
Traffic surveys found that traffic on Highway 33 was lighter on weekends than on weekdays, and the initial road closure and work had been postponed to accommodate summer travelers to the area.
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