Firefighters Beginning to Head Home as Gifford Fire Containment Numbers Continue to Rise | News Channel 3-12

Gifford Fire Holds Steady at 132,605 Acres as Containment Grows to More than Three-Quarters

The post Gifford Fire Holds Steady at 132,605 Acres as Containment Grows to More than Three-Quarters appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

Calexico firefighters aid in Gifford Fire battle

CALEXICO — Calexico firefighters are on the front lines of the massive Gifford Fire in Santa Maria, working 24-hour shifts in grueling conditions to help bring the blaze under control, the Calexico Fire Department said Thursday.

What Made the Gifford, Madre Fires So Explosive?

Within hours of the Aug. 1 ignition, the Gifford Fire exploded as flames raced through tall, dry grasses and thick chaparral, blackening terrain on both sides of Highway 166 while consuming thousands of acres amid swirling winds. It marked the second fast-moving blaze of the summer along the Highway 166 corridor known to firefighters for its distinctive — and previously deadly — characteristics responsible for rocketing the size of fires. Less t…

Firefighters beginning to head home as Gifford Fire containment numbers continue to rise | News Channel 3-12

Dave Alley/KEYT SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. - With containment numbers of the Gifford Fire rising on a daily basis, demobilization of the Incident Command Post in Santa Margarita is now underway. "We're in the demobiliozation phase for a lot of the engines," said Gifford Fire information officer Rich Eagan. "Now, you'll probably see close to 800 to 1,000 per day for the next, I would say 96 hours or so." At one point the base camp at the Santa Marga…

Gifford Fire nearly 70% contained, 132,605 acres burned

By KAREN VELIE There was no increase in the acreage burned by the Gifford Fire on Friday. The fire is currently 69% containment. Burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, the fire has scorched 132,605 acres, destroyed five structures and injured 12 people, according to the Friday evening update. “Southwesterly winds helped firefighters […]