Gifford Fire (2025-08-02)

131,614 acre wildfire (97% contained)

Arroyo Grande, California, United States

InciWeb page: CALPF Gifford Fire
CAL FIRE page: CAL FIRE Incident Page Status: Active Size: 131,614 acre Contained: 97%

Gifford Fire Live Perimeter Growth

Gifford Fire Fire Growth History

Gifford Fire Containment History

Gifford Fire Fire Alert Timeline

Aug 25, 2025 Other

BAER (Burn Area Emergency Response) team begins operations for Gifford Fire. Fire reaches 95% containment at 131,614 acres. Virtual community meeting scheduled for Monday evening at 6 PM to provide final updates.

Sources: Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-25) UPDATE: Remaining evacuation orders downgraded as Gifford Fire nears containment (2025-08-25)

Aug 22, 2025 Other

Updated Los Padres National Forest closure order (No. 05-07-53-25-18) goes into effect for Santa Lucia and Mount Pinos Ranger Districts, extending closure until further notice for continued safety.

Sources: Gifford Fire | CAL FIRE (2025-08-25)

Aug 19, 2025 Other

California Interagency Incident Management Team 8 (CIIMT 8) assumes command of Gifford Fire operations from Team 5. Fire reaches 95% containment at 132,761 acres burned with continued stabilization efforts.

Sources: Gifford Fire | CAL FIRE (2025-08-25) Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-25)

Aug 17, 2025 Other

Fire reaches 131,589 acres burned with 91% containment. Special announcement that this is the last nightly incident update unless conditions change significantly. Priority remains public and firefighter safety.

Sources: Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-17) Gifford Fire | CAL FIRE (2025-08-17)

Aug 15, 2025 Other

Major evacuation order reductions: multiple San Luis Obispo County zones downgraded from evacuation orders to warnings. Santa Barbara County evacuation orders also downgraded to warnings and air quality alerts lifted.

Sources: Gifford Fire Holds Steady at 132,605 Acres as Containment Grows to More than Three-Quarters - The Santa Barbara Independent (2025-08-16) UPDATE: Containment reaches 61% on the Gifford Fire (2025-08-15)

Aug 13, 2025 Other

Highway 166 between Santa Maria and State Route 33 reopens after 12-day closure, but with significant restrictions. One-way traffic control in effect for 2.2-mile section with up to 1-hour delays expected.

Sources: Highway 166 Reopens Following Gifford Fire Repairs - The Santa Barbara Independent (2025-08-13) Major Central Coast highway closed by Gifford Fire is now open | KCLU (2025-08-13)

Aug 12, 2025 Evacuation level 3

New evacuation orders issued for San Luis Obispo County zones SLC-193, SLC-194, SLC-221, and SLC-224 including areas of Pozo Road, Santa Margarita Lake, Parkhill Road and River Road west of Los Padres National Forest.

Sources: UPDATE: Gifford Fire surpasses 120,000 acres burned (2025-08-12) California's Gifford Fire reaches 'megafire' status (2025-08-11)

Aug 12, 2025 Other

Several evacuation order downgrades and cancellations announced in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties as fire containment improves in certain areas. Specific zones experienced reductions from higher alert levels.

Sources: UPDATE: Gifford Fire surpasses 120,000 acres burned (2025-08-12) Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-12)

Aug 08, 2025 Evacuation level 3

New evacuation orders and warnings issued after 30 mph overnight winds pushed fire further west toward Arroyo Grande area. Fire nears 100,000 acres with multiple new zones under immediate threat.

Sources: New evacuations ordered as California wildfire nears 100,000 acres (2025-08-08)

Aug 08, 2025 Evacuation level 3

New evacuation orders issued for Huasna Valley and Lopez Lake areas including zones SLC-261, SLC-262, SLC-311, and SLC-334. Fire spreads rapidly in northwest corner requiring crew withdrawal from direct attack for safety.

Sources: 'Fire spread rapidly.' Gifford Fire grows to nearly 100K acres; evacuation orders, warnings in place (2025-08-08) Map: Gifford Fire perimeter and evacuation updates (2025-08-08)

Aug 08, 2025 Other

Los Padres National Forest closure order extended (Forest Order 05-07-53-25-13) affecting Santa Lucia and Mount Pinos Ranger Districts from August 8, 2025 to February 28, 2026 for public safety and resource protection.

Sources: Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-08) Gifford Fire | CAL FIRE (2025-08-08)

Aug 07, 2025 Evacuation level 3

Additional evacuation orders issued for San Luis Obispo County zones SLC-225, SLC-239, SLC-240, SLC-264, and SLC-298 covering areas north of Chimineas Ranch Road, south of Hubbard Hill, and west of Sprague Hill.

Sources: UPDATE: Gifford Fire burns 96,106 acres; containment climbs to 15% (2025-08-07) Gifford Fire: Incident Update on 08/07/2025 at 10:19 AM | CAL FIRE (2025-08-07)

Aug 06, 2025 Other

Los Padres National Forest closure order issued (Forest Order 05-07-53-25-13) affecting Santa Lucia Ranger District and Mount Pinos Ranger District effective until further notice for public safety.

Sources: Gifford Fire | CAL FIRE (2025-08-06) Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-08)

Aug 04, 2025 Evacuation level 3

Evacuation orders expanded to include additional zones in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. New level 3 evacuations ordered for zones SLC-263 and LPF-014 in San Luis Obispo County.

Sources: UPDATE: Gifford Fire burns 65,062 acres, containment holds at 3% (2025-08-04) UPDATE: Gifford fire balloons to more than 65,000 acres, 3 injured, Hwy. 166 closed | Local News | santamariatimes.com (2025-08-04)

Aug 01, 2025 Road closure

Highway 166 closed between Santa Maria (Highway 101) and New Cuyama due to fire activity on both sides of the highway. Key east-west corridor between Central Coast and Central Valley shut down.

Sources: Major Central Coast highway closed by Gifford Fire is now open | KCLU (2025-08-13) Caltrans to reopen Highway 166 after Gifford Fire closure - Paso Robles Daily News (2025-08-13)

Aug 01, 2025 Evacuation level 3

Gifford Fire ignites from four separate fires along Highway 166 west of Cuyama. Initial evacuation orders issued for zones near Highway 166, affecting areas east of Santa Maria in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Sources: Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-01) Gifford Fire | CAL FIRE (2025-08-01) Los Padres National Forest | Gifford Fire | Forest Service (2025-08-01)

Gifford Fire Fire Alert Timeline

Aug 19, 2025 Other

Gifford Fire reaches 95% containment at 132,761 acres burned. Fire management transitions from Team 5 to Complex Interagency Incident Management Team 8. Most evacuation orders remain in place but situation continues to stabilize.

Sources: Wildfire Map Spotlight: Gifford Fire, California (2025-08-19) Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-17)

Aug 17, 2025 Other

Sources: Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-17) Gifford Fire | CAL FIRE (2025-08-17)

Aug 13, 2025 Other

Sources: Highway 166 Reopens Following Gifford Fire Repairs - The Santa Barbara Independent (2025-08-13) Major Central Coast highway closed by Gifford Fire is now open | KCLU (2025-08-13)

Aug 12, 2025 Other

Sources: UPDATE: Gifford Fire surpasses 120,000 acres burned (2025-08-12) Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-12)

Aug 12, 2025 Evacuation level 3

Sources: UPDATE: Gifford Fire surpasses 120,000 acres burned (2025-08-12) California's Gifford Fire reaches 'megafire' status (2025-08-11)

Aug 08, 2025 Evacuation level 3

New evacuation orders and warnings issued after 30 mph overnight winds pushed fire further west toward Arroyo Grande area. Fire nears 100,000 acres with multiple new zones under immediate threat.

Sources: New evacuations ordered as California wildfire nears 100,000 acres (2025-08-08)

Aug 08, 2025 Other

Los Padres National Forest closure order extended (Forest Order 05-07-53-25-13) affecting Santa Lucia and Mount Pinos Ranger Districts from August 8, 2025 to February 8, 2026 for public safety and resource protection.

Sources: Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-08) Gifford Fire | CAL FIRE (2025-08-08)

Aug 08, 2025 Evacuation level 3

Sources: 'Fire spread rapidly.' Gifford Fire grows to nearly 100K acres; evacuation orders, warnings in place (2025-08-08) Map: Gifford Fire perimeter and evacuation updates (2025-08-08)

Aug 07, 2025 Evacuation level 3

Sources: UPDATE: Gifford Fire burns 96,106 acres; containment climbs to 15% (2025-08-07) Gifford Fire: Incident Update on 08/07/2025 at 10:19 AM | CAL FIRE (2025-08-07)

Aug 06, 2025 Other

Los Padres National Forest closure order issued (Forest Order 05-07-53-25-13) affecting Santa Lucia Ranger District and Mount Pinos Ranger District effective until further notice for public safety.

Sources: Gifford Fire | CAL FIRE (2025-08-06) Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-08)

Aug 04, 2025 Evacuation level 3

Evacuation orders expanded to include additional zones in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. New level 3 evacuations ordered for zones SLC-263 and LPF-014 in San Luis Obispo County.

Aug 01, 2025 Evacuation level 3

Sources: Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-01) Gifford Fire | CAL FIRE (2025-08-01) Los Padres National Forest | Gifford Fire | Forest Service (2025-08-01)

Aug 01, 2025 Road closure

Highway 166 closed between Santa Maria (Highway 101) and New Cuyama due to fire activity on both sides of the highway. Key east-west corridor between Central Coast and Central Valley shut down.

Sources: Major Central Coast highway closed by Gifford Fire is now open | KCLU (2025-08-13) Caltrans to reopen Highway 166 after Gifford Fire closure - Paso Robles Daily News (2025-08-13)

Gifford Fire Fire Alert Timeline

Aug 13, 2025 Other

Sources: Highway 166 Reopens Following Gifford Fire Repairs - The Santa Barbara Independent (2025-08-13) Major Central Coast highway closed by Gifford Fire is now open | KCLU (2025-08-13)

Aug 12, 2025 Evacuation level 3

Sources: UPDATE: Gifford Fire surpasses 120,000 acres burned (2025-08-12) California's Gifford Fire reaches 'megafire' status (2025-08-11)

Aug 12, 2025 Evacuation level 2

Some evacuation orders and warnings in Santa Barbara County downgraded or canceled as fire containment improves in certain areas. Specific zones experienced reductions from higher alert levels.

Sources: UPDATE: Gifford Fire surpasses 120,000 acres burned (2025-08-12)

Aug 07, 2025 Evacuation level 3

Sources: UPDATE: Gifford Fire burns 96,106 acres; containment climbs to 15% (2025-08-07) Gifford Fire: Incident Update on 08/07/2025 at 10:19 AM | CAL FIRE (2025-08-07)

Aug 06, 2025 Other

Los Padres National Forest closure order issued (Forest Order 05-07-53-25-13) affecting Santa Lucia Ranger District and Mount Pinos Ranger District effective until further notice for public safety.

Sources: Gifford Fire | CAL FIRE (2025-08-06) Calpf Gifford Fire - | InciWeb (2025-08-08)

Aug 04, 2025 Evacuation level 3

Evacuation orders expanded to include additional zones in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. New level 3 evacuations ordered for zones SLC-263 and LPF-014 in San Luis Obispo County.

Aug 01, 2025 Evacuation level 3

Sources: Calpf Gifford Fire Information | InciWeb (2025-08-01) Gifford Fire | CAL FIRE (2025-08-01) Los Padres National Forest | Gifford Fire | Forest Service (2025-08-01)

Aug 01, 2025 Road closure

Highway 166 closed between Santa Maria (Highway 101) and New Cuyama due to fire activity on both sides of the highway. Key east-west corridor between Central Coast and Central Valley shut down.

Sources: Major Central Coast highway closed by Gifford Fire is now open | KCLU (2025-08-13) Caltrans to reopen Highway 166 after Gifford Fire closure - Paso Robles Daily News (2025-08-13)