Deadly new Cali wildfire is largest, evacuations, warnings

A southern California wildfire that has threatened thousands of homes is still only 21% contained, officials said Saturday, warning of the blaze’s “extreme” behavior amid low humidity and summer heat.

The Gifford Fire, which started Aug. 1, has prompting widespread evacuation orders and scorched more than 104,000 acres across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, where evacuation orders and warnings are in place. 

Nearly 3,600 firefighters are battling the flames amid hot, dry conditions.

“We have hot weather, and we have low relative humidity,” said Santa Barbara County Fire Department Capt. Scott Safechuck.

“So, we expect extreme fire behavior.”

Gifford’s destruction has already surpassed last month’s Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County, which burned 80,000 acres before containment.

Nearly 100 hand crews, 267 engines, 98 water tenders, 21 helicopters, and 142 bulldozers have been deployed, according to The Fresno Bee.

Flames continue to burn inside Los Padres National Forest, where officials reported “two large smoke columns” Saturday, with the largest rising from an area crews have fought to control for two days.

Meanwhile, the Canyon Fire, which started Thursday afternoon, has burned more than 5,000 acres in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. 

This was still just 28% contained on Saturday morning, but officials have called off the evacuation order in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Officials lifted some evacuation orders Friday as 400 firefighters worked under cooler conditions and with air support to slow the spread.

The causes of the California wildfires are still under investigation.

With Post wires