Santa Margarita Lake reopens as Gifford Fire reaches 95% containment

Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area in eastern San Luis Obispo announced it reopened to the public Tuesday as the county continued to work toward 100% containment of the Gifford Fire.

The fire was 95% contained at an estimated 131,589 acres as of Tuesday morning, according to an incident report from Cal Fire.

The Los Padres National Forest said firefighters continued to focus on mop-up and patrol along the fire’s perimeter, looking for any lingering heat sources.

Crews also worked on repair efforts within the burn area, to return it to its natural condition.

Also Tuesday, all remaining Santa Barbara County evacuations were lifted, after others in SLO County were downgraded on Monday.

The San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services also wants residents, business owners and agricultural operators to report any property damage or losses from the Gifford Fire.

“We understand the impacts the Gifford Fire has had on our agricultural community. Gathering accurate damage reports is essential for helping us advocate for assistance,” said Scotty Jalbert, director of Emergency Services for SLO County. “We’re asking those impacted to complete our form so we understand the full scope of damages caused by the fire and can begin moving toward recovery.”

Affected people can report losses by filling out an online form available at RecoverSLO.org/GiffordFire.

Santa Margarita Lake reopens

The San Luis Obispo County Parks and Recreation announced on its website that following the lifting of the evacuation order for Santa Margarita Lake, most of its amenities would be open.

The Marina Launch Ramp remained closed for water truck access as firefighters continued to mop up the Gifford Fire, however those operations have recently begun tapering off, said Shaun Cooper, assistant director of SLO County Parks and Recreation.

As the Gifford Fire burned into nearby San Luis Obispo County wilderness, the recreation area closed all of its facilities for public use Aug. 11 following an evacuation order from the county, Cooper told The Tribune.

The recreation area evacuated campers and administered refunds for unused portions of reservations from then until Aug. 21, Cooper said.

Will Lopez Lake follow in reopening?

On its website Tuesday morning, SLO County Parks and Recreation also announced evacuation orders had lifted for Lopez Lake Recreation Area, but the recreation area would still be closed until “all necessary work has been completed” by staff.

According to Cooper, Lopez Lake — which experienced similar evacuation orders and reservation refunds on Aug. 7 — planned to be fully functioning by Thursday, though its water quality was under inspection due to various water trucks using the lake’s water tank system during the Gifford Fire.

In the meantime, the lake asked those using its water supply for consumption to boil the water as a precaution, Cooper said.

Cooper added that no concerns were found in the water quality of the lake itself, and it would be safe for those planning to use it recreationally.

This story was originally published August 19, 2025 at 1:18 PM.