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Update posted Aug. 11:
– The Gifford Fire has grown to 118,068 acres and is now 33 percent contained as of Monday morning.
Click here to see the current status of the fire.
In partnership with emergency officials, the American Red Cross Pacific Coast Chapter has relocated the evacuation shelter from Arroyo Grande High School to New Life Student Center(941 N Oak Park Way, Pismo Beach) for evacuees displaced by the Gifford Fire burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.
Red Cross volunteers will provide evacuees safe refuge from the wildfire, water, meals, snacks, health services, and additional resources. The Red Cross encourages anyone who needs assistance to come to the shelter, and residents in nearby areas to be ready to evacuate. Small pets are welcome at the shelter, and pet owners are encouraged to bring water, food, pet carriers, and leashes if possible.
Since the Gifford Fire began, Red Cross disaster workers have been working closely with government officials and partners to make sure people will have a safe place to stay, food to eat and critical relief supplies as needed at multiple Temporary Evacuation Points and shelters throughout the affected region.
Anyone who needs a safe place to stay can find shelter information on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps.
You can also find information by following your local Red Cross and local emergency officials on social media, signing up for free emergency alerts from your local government or by monitoring local news.
Red Cross shelters are open to everyone in need, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability or citizenship status. All disaster assistance is free.
No type of identification is required to enter a shelter — just names and where the evacuees were living before the disaster.
If possible, the Red Cross encourages people who plan to stay in a shelter to bring prescription medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, other comfort items and important documents. Don’t forget to bring any special items for children, such as diapers, formula, and toys, or for family members who have unique needs.
A wildfire can spread very quickly, leaving you little time to get to safety. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and obey all instructions from officials. Don’t return home until officials say it’s safe to do so.
Tips from the Red Cross:
- Know where you will go, how you will get there and where you will stay. Plan well in advance if you’ll need help leaving or use public transportation.
- If you have a car, ensure the gas tank is full and park it facing the direction of your evacuation route.
- Keep your pets in one room, so you can find them if you need to evacuate quickly.
- Monitor local weather and fires near you. Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government. Stay up to date on evacuation routes and road closures that could impact your plans.
- If you feel you are in danger leave immediately. You might not get an official notice to evacuate.
- Limit exposure to smoke and dust by closing windows and doors to prevent outside smoke from getting in.
- To help keep your indoor air clean, don’t use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves.
How to help: To ensure people have the help they need, the Red Cross depends on public support. Please click, text or call to support Red Cross Disaster Relief and help people affected by disasters like fires and countless other crises. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a donation.
Sign up to become a volunteer to help with future wildfires at redcross.org/volunteer.
Update posted Aug. 7:
Gifford Fire now 15-percent contained
– The Gifford Fire, burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, had grown to 96,106 acres and was 15% contained as of Thursday morning, according to InciWeb.
The fire began as multiple blazes northeast of Santa Maria along Highway 166 on the afternoon of Aug. 1. The cause has not been specified.
Highway 166 remains closed between Highway 101 and the southern junction of Highway 33, according to the California Department of Transportation.
Air quality is expected to be most affected in eastern areas of San Luis Obispo County, including the Carrizo Plain and Cuyama Valley, as well as in parts of the southern county from the Five Cities area to Nipomo.
Click here to see the current status of the fire.
Original report posted Aug. 4:
Gifford Fire burns 49,761 acres in SLO, and Santa Barbara counties
– The Gifford Fire has burned approximately 49,761 acres in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties and is 3% contained as of 7:30 p.m. Sunday, down from 5% earlier in the day, according to fire officials.
The fire is burning both north and south of Highway 166 near Gifford Trailhead, about 30 miles east of Santa Maria. Highway 166 East is closed between Highway 101 and Highway 33.
California Interagency Incident Management Team 5, Cal Fire, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office are in unified command for the incident.
A temporary evacuation point opened Saturday evening in Santa Maria for residents affected by the fire. The San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services reported that Benjamin Foxen Elementary School, located at 4949 Foxen Canyon Road, is open to evacuees. American Red Cross personnel are on site.
Click here for evacuation information.
