Massive wildfire rages in central California: Over 450 homes at risk; crews battle flames amid hot winds

At least three people were injured in a large wildfire that raged across Los Padres National Forest on Monday, threatening hundreds of houses in central California. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said that the Gifford Fire was still blazing uncontrollably after scorching over 100 square miles (260 square kilometres) of coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

According to US Forest Service official Flemming Bertelson, a driver was hospitalised with burn injuries after exiting his car and being engulfed in flames. When their all-terrain vehicle toppled, two contract workers who were helping firefighters were also injured.

East of Santa Maria, a community of roughly 110,000 inhabitants in Santa Barbara County , the fire forced the closure of the highway in both directions and threatened approximately 450 structures. Scattered with towering California live oaks and Sycamore trees, the hilly agricultural area is renowned for its wine business and is located approximately 150 miles (240 kilometres) northwest of Los Angeles and 65 miles (105 kilometres) northwest of Santa Barbara.

The fire started along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield on Friday and spread from at least four minor fires.

"That gave us multiple fronts, and the flames started fanning out in many directions," Bertelson stated. "The fire is gobbling up chapparal and brushland and running up very steep slopes."

As planes dropped water on the advancing flames, ranchers evacuated their animals. Before winds were predicted to pick up after sunset, over 1,000 firefighters were fighting the fire in hot, dry weather and unpredictable winds.