Incident Update Gifford Fire

Date:
08/19/2025
Time:
7:25 AM

Fire Information: Phone: (805) 308-5533 2025 Email: gifford@firenet.gov

Media Line: (805) 308-5539

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
91%
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

Santa Margarita Community Hall (On Stand By)

22501 I St, Santa Margarita, CA Hours of Operation: Residents who need a place to stay can receive assistance at the Community Center.

New Life Student Center (On Stand By)

941 Oak Park Blvd Pismo Beach Ca 93449 

Animal Evacuation Shelters

For sheltering assistance, please call the American Red Cross at 805-678-3073

For assistance evacuating large animals, in San Luis Obispo County please contact Horse Emergency Evacuation Team (HEET) at 805-466-7457.
For assistance evacuating large animals, in Santa Barbara County please contact the County Animal Services Disaster Hotline at 805-681-4332.

Large Animals

  • Paso Robles Event Center & Equestrian Center: 2198 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles

  • Elks Rodeo Grounds is open for large animal evacuation: 4040 Highway 101, Santa Maria

Small/Domestic Animals

  • 548 W Foster Rd, Santa Maria – Open until 6:00 PM

  • 1501 W Central Ave, Lompoc – Open until 6:00 PM

  • 5473 Overpass Rd, Goleta – Open until 6:00 PM

  • 111 Commerce Dr, Buellton – Open until 5:00 PM

  • SLO County Animal Services Shelter – Hours vary

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
3047