VIDEO: The Gifford Fire burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties has become the biggest blaze in California so far this year. It has charred more than 91,000 acres and, as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday is only 9% contained. Wildfire risk will be elevated through the weekend across much of inland California as the heat wave intensifies and now more resources from the Bay Area are on the way to join the fight.
CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit says six of their bulldozers are currently constructing control lines around the fire. Santa Rosa Fire Division Chief and Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal says crews across the region are moving out fast and heading south to help. That includes one engine from Santa Rosa. “Engine 22 went to the Gifford fire this morning,” said Chief Lowenthal. “When these engines go out, they typically have two people on them.” Fire crews will stay as long as they’re needed. Typically, up to two weeks.
Contra Costa County Fire shared on Instagram that its hand crew deployed Tuesday afternoon. That includes two fire captains, 18 fire control workers, and a communications technician, according to Public Information Officer Lauren Ono. Miles away, we caught up with Marin County Fire Division Chief Mike Marcucci. “So the Marin County fire has deployed about 40 of our firefighters to the Gifford Fire starting over the weekend and wrapping up last night. We sent one of our bulldozers down with another bulldozer from CAL FIRE in what we call a rainbow strike team. We also sent two of our Tamalpais fire crews down,” said Marcucchi.
More than 2,000 firefighters are now on the Gifford Fire, battling all sorts of serious challenges besides rough terrain. “They are dealing with 90 to 100-degree temperatures, low humidities. The wind is there. It is hard conditions,” said Marcucchi.
