Evacuations have been ordered in central California, as a massive wildfire is churning through the brush-covered hillsides in Los Padres national forest. More than 450 structures are under threat by the Gifford fire, and several injuries have been reported.
The fire had scorched more than 65,000 acres (26,300 hectares) by Monday morning, after the blaze grew out of several smaller fires that erupted Friday along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield.
By Monday, 3% of its perimeter was contained, and officials cautioned residents conditions could rapidly change due to erratic fire behavior. Hotter and drier weather in the forecast is expected to “facilitate rapid and sustained fire growth”, according to an incident report issued on Monday.
More than 1,000 firefighters are scrambling to make progress against the flames, before so-called sundowner winds whip up around dusk. The National Weather Service says erratic afternoon gusts could reach 25mph (40km/h) in the fire area.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
One resident was hospitalized with burn injuries and two contract employees assisting firefighters were hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned, authorities said.
Conditions across California continue to be primed for high fire risk after a warmer and drier spring left landscapes parched. Fire activity typically accelerates in the state around the end of summer and into autumn, but wildfire activity has already been trending above normal, according to CalFire.
