SIT REP 4: AUGUST 10, 2025, 1845 PT

INCIDENT SUMMARY

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — The GIFFORD FIRE continues to rage, well beyond its start date on August 1, 2025, from an unknown cause that has yet to be ruled as undetermined. Fire Officials continue to investigate the cause.

Photo Credit: Los Padres National Forest (USFS)

SIZE UP

On Saturday, the fire burned about 111,557 acres, but today it has increased to 114,621. Firefighters are successfully holding it to a 21% containment status.

LOCATION

The fire is burning on Hwy 166, northeast of Santa Maria in two California counties in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, where multiple resources are working together to manage, suppress, and contain this firestorm.

INCIDENT COOPERATORS

Management of the fire is under a CIIMT Team 5 with multiple partners in Unified Command, which includes the Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County FD, CAL FIRE, and the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office.

Fire Response: There has been an influx of personnel, now reaching 3,935 personnel, 82 hand crews, 145 dozers, 290 engines, and 53 water tenders.

Other Supporting Partners: American Red Cross Central California Region, AeroVision Global, ALERT California, Direct Relief, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Santa Barbara County EMA, Channel Islands YMCA, and Liberty Insurance Company.

OPERATIONS

Photo Credit: Los Padres National Forest (USFS)

Fire behavior is being observed by Officials as active with uphill runs, short-range spotting, and backing.

EVACUATIONS

(R) Map Credit: CAL FIRE

Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect, which have impacted about 809 residents.

Pertinent evacuation information, road closures, and other important updates can be found on the CAL FIRE website https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/8/1/gifford-fire.

SHELTERS

Arroyo Grande High School
495 Valley Rd., Arroyo Grande

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

ANIMAL SHELTERS

For assistance evacuating large animals in San Luis Obispo County, please contact the 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 animal shelters have been established at:

  • The Elks Rodeo Grounds is open for large animal evacuation at 4040 Highway 101, Santa Maria.  Enter the Morningside Drive Gate 2.
  • Paso Robles Event Center Equestrian Center, 2198 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles. Enter at Rodeo Gate

For small/domestic animal evacuations, the following locations are available:

  • 548 W Foster Rd, Santa Maria (open until 6pm)
  • 1501 W Central Ave, Lompoc (open until 6pm)
  • 5473 Overpass Rd, Goleta (open until 6pm)
  • 111 Commerce Dr, Buellton (open to 5pm)

EVACUATION POINTS

Photo Credit: American Red Cross

Temporary Evacuation Point and Community Information & Resource Center: 

Benjamin Foxen Elementary School
4949 Foxen Canyon Rd,
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Hours of Operation: Monday, August 3 and Tuesday, August 4 (8am – 7pm) 

Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center
4689 Highway 166,
New Cuyama, CA 93254
Hours of Operation: Monday, August 3, and Tuesday, August 4 (8am – 4pm). 

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

• SLO County Phone Assistance Center from 8AM–8PM: (805) 543-2444
• Animal Assistance from 8AM-5PM: (805) 781-4800
• Large Animal / Horse Lodging: (805) 781-1404
• Horse Emergency Evacuation Team (HEET): (805) 466-7457
• Santa Barbara County Hotline: (833) 688-5551

If you have a trailer and are AVAILABLE to help us continue to evacuate livestock out of the new fire zone orders this morning in the Lopez and Huasna areas, please call/text us at (805) 550-0213. Requests are pouring in, and we want to be able to provide support without excessive delay.

Please contact HEET – Horse Emergency Evacuation Team of San Luis Obispo County if you have a horse trailer and can assist with evacuation in the stated area this morning.
➡️ Call or text 805-550-0213 ⬅️

THREATENED

  • 2,922 structures.
  • Machesna Mountain Wilderness.
  • Communities.
  • Energy infrastructure.
  • Communication infrastructure.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

  • 2 structures lost.
  • CTD: 53 Million Dollars.

INJURIES

  • 2 confirmed civilians.
  • 5 confirmed firefighters.

(c) 2025 NW FIRE BLOG