The Gifford Fire ignited on August 1 along Highway 166 near Santa Maria, quickly expanding to over 23,588 acres by the morning of August 2. Evacuations were ordered in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, with the affected area covering more than 400 square miles. The fire is California's second-largest fire of 2025. The largest fire this year, the Madre fire, had burned 80,779 acres before being contained on July 26.
The Gifford Fire, starting August 1 near Santa Maria, rapidly expanded to over 23,588 acres, leading to evacuation orders in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
By Saturday afternoon, evacuation orders encompassed over 400 square miles, with the fire threatening areas within five miles of Santa Maria, marking it California's second-largest fire of 2025.
The fire ignited along Highway 166 and quickly escalated after its start around 2 p.m. on August 1, leading to emergency responses by state firefighting teams.
California's largest wildfire of 2025, the Madre fire, occurred earlier in the year, consuming 80,779 acres before containment on July 26.
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