Truck driver severely injured in Gifford Fire. Here’s how to help
A Santa Maria truck driver was severely burned in the Gifford Fire, and now his family is fundraising to cover his medical expenses.
To date, three civilians and 14 firefighters were injured in the Gifford Fire, which was 95% contained at 131,614 acres as of Wednesday, according to Cal Fire.
Rogelio Fernandez was injured in the fire while driving a truck on Highway 166 on Aug. 1, the day the blaze ignited, according to a GoFundMe started by his daughter, Krystal Fernandez Calderon.
Fernandez was transported by helicopter to a special burn unit in Bakersfield, where he was treated for severe burns, the GoFundMe description said.
“He suffered 22% third-degree burns to his upper body and will need multiple surgeries and therapy,” the GoFundMe description said. “As of right now, there is no estimated time of how long he’ll be in the hospital or how long his recovery time is.”
Donations to the GoFundMe will be used for medical bills and other monthly bills like utilities and his mortgage, the fundraising page said.
As of Wednesday morning, the GoFundMe had raised $5,546 of the $10,000 goal. To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/aid-rogelio-after-the-gifford-fire.
Fernandez’s family did not respond to requests for further comment. Fire officials reached by The Tribune declined to disclose details of injuries from the Gifford Fire.
