What started as a handful of spot fires along Highway 166 has grown into the largest wildfire in California this year.
As of Friday, the Gifford Fire has burned a destructive path through San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties for just about a week, blackening nearly 100,000 acres as it dashed across the region. The fire was fed by hot and dry conditions — plus gusty winds — even as thousands of firefighters from across the state battled its spread.
Thirty zones remained under evacuation orders as of Friday, while evacuation warnings were in place in an additional 20 zones, according to the Los Padres National Forest. An estimated 2,922 structures remained threatened.
From when it broke out on Aug. 1 to the latest efforts to contain the blaze as it enters the weekend, here’s a look at the dramatic photos and videos that document the Gifford Fire spread across the Central Coast.
The Gifford Fire broke out in southern San Luis Obispo County on Aug. 2, 2025, sending smoke pluming into the air and closing a local highway. The fire was more than 800 acres as of 4 p.m. ALERT California | UC San Diego
A CHP car sits on Highway 166 east of Highway 101 as the Gifford Fire blazes in the background. The fast-moving fire quickly spread through San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties on Aug. 1, resulting in a highway closure. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
An air tanker drops retardant during initial attack response on the Gifford Fire, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Fleming Bertelsen U.S. Forest Service
A hillside burns north of Highway 166. The Gifford Fire burned an estimated 5,000 acres on both sides of Highway 166 east of Highway 101 on Aug. 1, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Highway roadside marker reflectors melted from the heat. The Gifford Fire burned an estimated 5,000 acres on both sides of Highway 166 east of Highway 101 on Aug. 1, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
A firefighting DC 10 jet drops retardant near Highway 166. The Gifford Fire burned an estimated 5,000 acres on both sides of Highway 166 east of Highway 101 on Aug. 1, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Forest service firefighters from the Pine Canyon station were the first on the scene. The Gifford Fire burned an estimated 5,000 acres on both sides of Highway 166 east of Highway 101 on Aug. 1, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Forest Service firefighters return to the highway after working on hot spots in the Cuyama River. The Gifford Fire burned an estimated 5,000 acres on both sides of Highway 166 east of Highway 101 on Aug. 1, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
The Gifford Fire burned an estimated 5,000 acres on both sides of Highway 166 east of Highway 101 on Aug. 1, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Smoke from fire dwarfs firefighting aircraft. The Gifford Fire burned an estimated 5,000 acres on both sides of Highway 166 east of Highway 101 on Aug. 1, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
The Gifford Fire burned an estimated 5,000 acres on both sides of Highway 166 east of Highway 101 on Aug. 1, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Fire encroaches on the Rock Front Ranch during the initial stages of the Gifford Fire on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Fleming Bertelsen U.S. Forest Service
The Gifford Fire sends up a column of smoke as seen from California Valley in San Luis Obispo County on Aug. 3, 2025. Brittany App
The Gifford Fire sends up a column of smoke as seen from California Valley in San Luis Obispo County on Aug. 3, 2025. Brittany App
The Gifford Fire burns in eastern San Luis Obispo County in a view from California Valley on Aug. 4, 2025. Brittany App
The Gifford Fire burns in eastern San Luis Obispo County in a view from California Valley on Aug. 4, 2025. Brittany App
A bulldozer clears brush around ALERT California’s La Panza 2 camera as the Gifford Fire burns in the background on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. ALERT California | UC San Diego
Firefighters watch as flames from the Gifford Fire approach ALERT California’s La Panza 2 camera on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. ALERT California | UC San Diego
An air tanker flies past a plume of smoke as the Gifford Fire burns in eastern San Luis Obispo County on Aug. 5, 2025. Brittany App
The Gifford Fire burns in eastern San Luis Obispo County in a view from California Valley on Aug. 5, 2025. Brittany App
An air tanker flies over the Gifford Fire on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Cal Fire
A blanket of smoke was visible from the air above the Gifford Fire, which had burned nearly 100,000 acres in SLO and Santa Barbara counties as of Aug. 7, 2025. Jenna Armario Santa Barbara County Fire Department
A blanket of smoke was visible from the air above the Gifford Fire, which had burned nearly 100,000 acres in SLO and Santa Barbara counties as of Aug. 7, 2025. Jenna Armario Santa Barbara County Fire Department
The Gifford Fire burns in the hills east of Arroyo Grande on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. ALERTCalifornia | UC San Diego
The Gifford Fire burns in the hills east of Arroyo Grande on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, as seen from the View Peak 2 camera on the ALERTCalifornia network. ALERTCalifornia | UC San Diego
Smoke rises from the Gifford Fire burning from the Los Padres National Forest toward an area under an evacuation order behind Lopez Lake, seen here from Hi Mountain Road on Aug. 7, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Smoke rises from the Gifford Fire burning from the Los Padres National Forest toward an area under an evacuation order behind Lopez Lake, seen here from Hi Mountain Road on Aug. 7, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Smoke rises from the Gifford Fire burning from the Los Padres National Forest toward an area under an evacuation order behind Lopez Lake, seen here from Hi Mountain Road on Aug. 7, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Smoke rises from the Gifford Fire burning behind the front of the Coast Range, seen here in a view from Buckley Road on Aug. 7, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Gifford Fire officials held a community meeting in Sisquoc at Santa Barbara County Fire Station 23 on Thursday night. They revealed that Highway 166 likely won’t reopen for at least several days, since Caltrans crews are making repairs to guardrails and other fire-damaged infrastructure. Scott Safechuck/Santa Barbara County Fire Department photo
Lone Pine Fire Department Capt. Ash Seiter said coming off of a 24-hour shift on the line to a hot meal, showers and a place to sleep helps firefighters get through a long deployment far from home. A fire camp was being assembled at Santa Margarita Ranch, seen here on Aug. 7, 2025. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Smoke from the Gifford Fire curls around the sunset in Morro Bay. John Lindsey
Smoke from the Gifford Fire turns the sky orange at sunset in a view from California Valley on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. Brittany App
Photographer Brittany App’s dog rests in California Valley as smoke from the Gifford Fire turns the sky orange at sunset on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. Brittany App
An air tanker does a nighttime water drop on the Gifford Fire on Aug. 7, 2025. Chumash Fire Department
Two dozers carve fire lines while battling the Gifford Fire in San Luis Obispo County on Thursday night, Aug. 7, 2025. Cal Fire
Two dozers carve fire lines while battling the Gifford Fire in San Luis Obispo County on Thursday night, Aug. 7, 2025. Cal Fire
More than 3,400 personnel were assigned to the Gifford Fire as of Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, as the blaze neared 100,000 acres burned. Chumash Fire Department photo
Lopez Lake campground was closed and evacuated, with a Smokey Bear sign warning of high fire danger, seen here on Aug. 8, 2025. As of the morning of the eighth day of the Gifford Fire, 3,431 firefighters were working in shifts on the 99,232-acre blaze. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
A smoke plume rises behind a barn on Hi Mountain Road above Lopez Lake, seen here on Aug. 8, 2025. As of the morning of the eighth day of the Gifford Fire, 3,431 firefighters were working in shifts on the 99,232-acre blaze. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
A firefighting helicopter flies near Lopez Lake on Aug. 8, 2025. As of the morning of the eighth day of the Gifford Fire, 3,431 firefighters were working in shifts on the 99,232-acre blaze. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
The Gifford Fire burns along a ridge line in a view from ALERTCalifornia’s La Panza 2 camera on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. ALERTCalifornia | UC San Diego
This story was originally published August 8, 2025 at 4:25 PM.
Kaytlyn Leslie writes about business and development for The San Luis Obispo Tribune. Hailing from Nipomo, she also covers city governments and happenings in San Luis Obispo. She joined The Tribune in 2013 after graduating from Cal Poly with her journalism degree.
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