Southern California wildfire status escalated to 'megafire' as authorities issue desperate warning
Topics: Climate Change, Wildfires, US News, California
Joe Yates
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Bloomberg
Topics: Climate Change, Wildfires, US News, California
A huge blaze burning in Southern California has been dubbed a 'megafire' after becoming the largest wildfire in the state this year.
The Golden State has had a torrid 2025, starting off with the infamous LA wildfires that tore through entire neighborhoods - killing 30 residents and displacing thousands more.
Just last month, the Madre Fire incinerated nearly 81,000 acres of land in San Luis Obispo County, and now the same residents are fearing its beast of a sister - the Gifford Fire, which has ripped through 104,402 acres.
The State of California has assigned 3,685 firefighters to help extinguish the flames, including 21 helicopters, 267 fire engines, 142 bulldozers, 98 water tenders and 86 different crews, but it is still only 21 percent contained.
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So far, three civilians have been reported injured, as well as five firefighters, while just two properties have been damaged.
Los Padres National Forest has issued the following statement on the current situation of the blaze: "The Gifford Fire advanced into the rugged Garcia Wilderness and is now threatening the Machesna Mountain Wilderness, fueled by two large fire columns observed yesterday afternoon.
"Overnight, crews worked to reinforce control lines stretching from Avenales Ranch Road and the Salinas River to Hi Mountain Road and the Huasna River, with the goal of preventing the fire from spreading beyond the Garcia Wilderness.
"On the northeast corner between Pelados Road and Pilitas Mountain, crews successfully contained the fire growth from yesterday, located south of the major power transmission line."
It continued: "However, a new slopover north of the line has become a top priority today to prevent the fire from spreading into the Machesna Wilderness. Dozer and hand crews will be connecting new control lines from the Madre Fire burn scar to the Los Machos Hills while assessing any threats to key facilities.
"In the San Rafael Wilderness to the south, crews continue to advance handline construction, tying into existing control lines and are supported by aircraft with water drops. On the southeast side, crews are constructing both direct and contingency fire lines while improving Sierra Madre Road. On the southwest side, firefighters are developing a contingency plan from Buckhorn Ridge to Sisquoc and reinforcing existing lines, while also mopping up interior hot spots.
"Overall, firefighters are focused on maintaining and enhancing containment lines, using aircraft to cool hot spots in steep terrain, and protecting communities, infrastructure, and critical values at risk."
The weather is expected to continue in favor of the fire with hot and dry conditions forecasted, while afternoon temperatures in San Luis Obispo County are estimated to climb into the 90s as humidity drops.
On top of this, upcanyon winds are also expected this afternoon with gusts around 20mph.
“We have hot weather, and we have low relative humidity,” Santa Barbara County Fire Dept. Capt. Scott Safechuck told AP. “So we expect extreme fire behavior.”