Gifford Fire brings smoky skies to SLO County. Where is air quality worst?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Gifford Fire burns 83,933 acres, causes major smoke across SLO County skies
- Air quality dips to moderate-to-unhealthy levels, worsens in eastern county areas
- Officials urge residents to limit exposure, use indoor filters, avoid cleanup
Smoke from California’s largest fire of the year resulted in hazy skies and unhealthy air conditions in parts of San Luis Obispo County.
Smoke from the Gifford Fire was hovering over parts of the county, causing sooty air quality and possible ash exposure starting Wednesday, Aug. 6, according to a news release from the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District.
Smoke plumes from the massive wildfire, which is burning in eastern San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, could be seen from space in recent days.
What is the air quality forecast in SLO County? And how can you protect your lungs while the wildfire continues to blaze?
Here’s what to know:
Where is Gifford Fire burning?
The Gifford Fire sparked from multiple blazes northeast of Santa Maria along Highway 166 on the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 1, according to InciWeb.
Since Friday afternoon, Highway 166 has been closed between Highway 101 and the southern junction of Highway 33, according to the California Department of Transportation.
As of Wednesday morning, the sprawling wildfire had burned a total of 83,933 acres and was 9% contained, according to InciWeb.
At least three people had been injured in the Gifford Fire.
The fire was burning on both sides of Highway 166 from Aliso Creek and Cuyama Highway to Carrizo Plain National Monument near the Gifford Trailhead, about 30 miles east of Santa Maria.
The Gifford Fire charred thousands of acres just west of the scar of the Madre Fire, which burned more than 80,000 acres of the Carrizo Plain in SLO County in July, Cal Fire said.
How is Central Coast wildire affecting air quality?
Smoky skies were anticipated in San Luis Obispo County through the weekend, the Air Pollution Control District said.
Air quality will be most affected in eastern areas of the county, including the Carrizo Plain and Cuyama Valley, as well as parts of southern SLO County ranging from the Five Cities area to Nipomo, the release said.
Areas as far north as San Luis Obispo could also see worsened air quality due to the Gifford Fire.
Other parts of the county may be hit by haze depending on fluctuating breezes, the Air Pollution Control District said.
“Changing winds make it difficult to predict which areas of the county may be most affected but there is a potential for impacts to spread beyond regions currently affected,” the release said.
What’s the wildfire smoke forecast for SLO County?
Plumes of smoke and ash from the Gifford Fire were beginning to descend on parts of the county as of Wednesday, Air District officials said.
“SLO County can expect skies to be hazy and fine particulate concentrations and ozone to be higher than normal through the weekend, dependent on fire activity,” the Air Pollution Control District said in its release. “We may also see high levels of larger particulates (ash) to be present as well.”
Air Quality Index levels were expected to range from moderate to unhealthy in SLO County, though areas east of Highway 101 and south of Arroyo Grande could experience more hazardous conditions, the release said.
Where is air quality worst locally?
On Wednesday morning, San Luis Obispo’s air quality was labeled “moderate” with skies expected to clear this afternoon.
However, more smoke was anticipated to return overnight into Thursday morning, according to the smoke outlook from the U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program.
The extended forecast warned of continued hazy, moderate air quality conditions with “occasional smoke,” the outlook indicated.
Air quality levels were expected to be moderate from Wednesday through Sunday in Arroyo Grande, Avila Beach, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Oceano, Nipomo and San Luis Obispo, according to the Air Quality Index’s five-day forecast.
In the Carrizo Plain, air quality conditions are expected to dip to levels “unhealthy for sensitive groups” on Thursday and Friday, before returning to moderate levels this weekend.
Who’s most at risk for health issues?
Sensitive groups should limit “prolonged or heavy exertion” during periods of poor air quality, according to the smoke outlook.
Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, as well as older adults, children and people with diabetes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
What to do if you smell wildfire smoke
Here’s what to do if you smell smoke or see ash fall from the sky in SLO County, according to Air Pollution Control District officials:
- Go indoors and remain inside if possible
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity
- Close windows and doors that lead outside to keep wildfire smoke from entering your home
- Avoid ash clean-up until air conditions improve
- Seek medical attention if you develop a cough, shortness of breath, exhaustion, light-headedness or chest pain
You can visit SLOCleanAir.org to learn how to create a clean air room or make an emergency indoor air purifier.
This story was originally published August 6, 2025 at 11:27 AM.
