Incident Update Gifford Fire

Date:
08/19/2025
Time:
8:34 AM

Incident Facts

Name
Gifford Fire
Start Date/Time
2025-08-01
Incident Status
Active
Location
Highway 166, Northeast of Santa Maria
Type
Wildfire
Cause
Under Investigation
Counties
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
Administration Unit
Los Padres National Forest
Unified Command Agency(s)
Size
131,589
Containment
95%
Structures Threatened
778
Structures Destroyed
5
Structures Damaged
Civilian Injuries
3
Firefighter Injuries
9
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary


California Interagency Incident Management Team 8 (CIIMT 8) has assumed command as of 8/19/25. For evacuation info visit ReadySLO or ReadySBC

For more information, please visit Gifford Fire InciWeb.

Forest Closures

Forest Closure Notice

The Los Padres National Forest has issued Forest Order No. 05-07-53-25-13, regarding the Gifford Fire Area Closure. This affects the Santa Lucia Ranger District and Mount Pinos Ranger District, effective August 6th, 2025, until further notice.

Evacuation Zones

Evacuation Information:

Evacuation Orders

Evacuation Orders issued for the following zones:

  • LPF-009
  • LPF-010
  • LPF-011 (Southern Portion)
  • LPF-012 (Eastern Portion)
  • LPF-013
  • SLC-222
  • SLC-223
  • SLC-261 (Eastern Portion)
  • SLC-262 (Eastern Portion)

Evacuation Warnings

Evacuation Warnings issued for the following zones:

San Luis Obispo County

  • LPF-007 
  • LPF-012 (Western Portion) 
  • LPF-014 (Southern Portion) 
  • LPF-015
  • LPF-016
  • LPF-018 (Eastern Portion) 
  • SLC-193 
  • SLC-194 
  • SLC-221 
  • SLC-224 
  • SLC-261 (Western Portion) 
  • SLC-262 (Western Portion) 

Santa Barbara County

  • LPF-165-B
  • LPF165-A

Road Closures

Please take caution when travelling or commuting. Visit EmergencySLO for current closures.

  • Avenales Ranch Road from Pozo Road to the south end
  • Hi Mountain Road

Evacuation Shelters

For more information: https://www.emergencyslo.org/en/incident-information.aspx

Assigned Resources

Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.

Engines
209
Water Tenders
75
Helicopters
13
Dozers
81
Hand Crews
64
Other
780
Total Personnel
2713