Home / Disasters and Accidents / Gifford Fire Becomes Largest Blaze in California This Year
Gifford Fire Becomes Largest Blaze in California This Year
6 Aug
Summary
- Gifford Fire scorches over 131 square miles, surpassing 2025's largest fire
- Extreme fire behavior expected due to hot, dry conditions
- Over 2,200 personnel battling the blaze, 4 injuries reported
As of August 7th, 2025, a massive wildfire in central California has become the largest blaze in the state so far this year. The Gifford Fire, which erupted last Friday along State Route 166, has scorched at least 131 square miles of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, surpassing the 126-square-mile Madre Fire that occurred last month.
Firefighters are facing significant challenges in their efforts to contain the Gifford Fire, as rising temperatures on Wednesday have posed new obstacles. Crews working in steep, inaccessible terrain are dealing with temperatures in the mid-90s Celsius, and the mercury is expected to climb above 38 Celsius on Thursday. "We have hot weather, and we have low relative humidity," said Capt. Scott Safechuck of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. "So we expect extreme fire behavior."
Despite the difficult conditions, more than 2,200 personnel are currently battling the blaze, which has already injured four people, including a firefighter treated for dehydration. Over the weekend, a motorist was hospitalized with burn injuries after getting out of his vehicle and being overrun by flames, and two contract employees assisting firefighters were also hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned.
The Gifford Fire has threatened more than 870 remote homes and other structures at the northern edge of the Los Padres National Forest, with just 9% containment as of Wednesday. Wildfire risk is expected to remain elevated across much of inland California through the weekend, as the heat wave intensifies and the southern part of the state continues to experience persistent drought conditions.
