The Gifford fire has spread through Los Padres forest, prompting evacuations and injuring at least three people
A huge wildfire tearing through California’s Los Padres national forest is threatening hundreds of homes, after injuring at least three people in days before.
The Gifford fire has already scorched more than 72,000 acres (29,000 hectares) in coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, north of Los Angeles, and was still burning out of control on Tuesday morning, according to the California department of forestry and fire protection, known as Cal Fire. It is 7% contained.
A motorist was hospitalized with burn injuries after getting out of his vehicle and being overrun by flames, said Flemming Bertelson, a spokesperson for the US Forest Service. Two contract employees assisting firefighters were also hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned.
The blaze threatened about 450 structures and forced the closure of the highway in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 people in Santa Barbara county.
