As the Gifford Fire burns for a 12th day, firefighters are preparing to fight fire with fire in an attempt to stop the flames from spreading further to the north and west. As of Tuesday morning, the fire has burned 122,065 acres and is 33% contained.
Fire officials say overnight, northeasterly winds pushed the fire to the west, where it continues to spread along Garcia Ridge, close to containment lines along Hi Mountain Road. Starting Tuesday afternoon, firefighters are tentatively scheduled to begin a “multi-day strategic firing operation” to remove vegetation before the main fire can reach it. While the northwest area of the fire is the major focus at this point, fire officials say most other areas of the fire perimeter are in mop-up and patrol status.
The Gifford Fire broke out on August 1, along Highway 166 east of Santa Maria, burning on both sides of the highway into San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. More than 800 structures are currently threatened.
