&w=3840&q=100)
3 injured as California wildfire rages out of control, threatens homes
The Gifford Fire scorched more than 100 square miles (260 square km) of coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and was still burning out of control, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire.
A motorist was hospitalised with burn injuries after getting out of his vehicle and being overrun by flames, said Flemming Bertelson, a spokesperson for the US Forest Service. Two contract employees assisting firefighters were also hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned.
The blaze threatened about 450 structures and forced the closure of the highway in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 people in Santa Barbara County. About 65 miles (105 kilometres) northwest of Santa Barbara and 150 miles (240 kilometres) northwest of Los Angeles, the hilly agricultural region is dotted by sprawling California live oaks and Sycamore trees and is known for its wine industry.
The blaze grew out of at least four smaller fires that erupted Friday along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield.
That gave us multiple fronts, and the flames started fanning out in many directions, Bertelson said. The fire is gobbling up chapparal and brushland and running up very steep slopes.
Ranchers evacuated cattle as aircraft made water drops on the encroaching flames.
More than 1,000 firefighters were battling hot, dry weather and erratic winds to make progress against the blaze before winds were forecast to whip up around dusk.
The causes of the fires are under investigation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
US: ‘Gifford' Fire Scorches 129 Sq Miles, Over 800 Structures In Central California Under Threat
A massive wildfire known as the Gifford Fire is tearing through central California, threatening over 800 structures and injuring at least three people. The blaze, which began as four smaller fires along State Route 166, has scorched more than 129 square miles across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. A motorist was seriously burned after being overtaken by flames, while two fire crew members were injured in an ATV rollover. Nearly 2,000 personnel are battling the fire under scorching heat and unpredictable winds. The fire is only 7% contained and growing fast, with the cause still under investigation.#CaliforniaFire #GiffordFire #WildfireCrisis #BreakingNews #LosPadres #Firefighters #ClimateEmergency #SantaBarbara #SanLuisObispo #DisasterResponse Read More
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Gifford Fire grows out of control? Planes, 1000 firefighters put to douse raging blaze in California
Gifford Fire grows out of control? Planes, 1000 firefighters put to douse raging blaze in California
New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Massive wildfire in central California threatens homes as it burns out of control
SANTA MARIA: A massive wildfire on Monday was threatening hundreds of homes in central California after injuring at least three people as it tore through Los Padres National Forest. The Gifford Fire scorched more than 100 square miles (260 square km) of coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and was still burning out of control, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. A motorist was hospitalized with burn injuries after getting out of his vehicle and being overrun by flames, said Flemming Bertelson, a spokesperson for the US Forest Service. Two contract employees assisting firefighters were also hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned. The blaze threatened about 450 structures and forced the closure of the highway in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 people in Santa Barbara County. About 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of Santa Barbara and 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, the hilly agricultural region is dotted by sprawling California live oaks and Sycamore trees and is known for its wine industry. The blaze grew out of at least four smaller fires that erupted Friday along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield. 'That gave us multiple fronts, and the flames started fanning out in many directions,' Bertelson said. 'The fire is gobbling up chapparal and brushland and running up very steep slopes.' Ranchers evacuated cattle as aircraft made water drops on the encroaching flames. More than 1,000 firefighters were battling hot, dry weather and erratic winds to make progress against the blaze before winds were forecast to whip up around dusk. The causes of the fires are under investigation.
