Current Incidents

Gifford Fire (updated 8/7/25 at 3:30 PM)

The fire is currently burning both north and south of Highway 166 near Gifford Trailhead, approximately 30 miles east of Santa Maria.  As of 3:30 pm on 8/7/25, the fire has burned approximately 98,396 acres and containment is now 15%. 

The fire is burning in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. California Interagency Incident Management Team (CIIMT) 5, along with CAL FIRE, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office are in Unified Command for the Gifford Fire. 

For current road closures, please go here.

Please contact us by email or at the SLO County Phone Assistance Center at 805-543-2444 (between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm) if you have questions or need assistance. 

CURRENT EVACUATION ORDERS & WARNINGS

For Gifford Fire Evacuation Orders and Warnings, visit Readyslo.org/evacuations

For evacuation assistance in San Luis Obispo County, call the County's Phone Assistance Center at (805) 543-2444.  If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

NOTE: Information for Santa Barbara County residents for the Gifford Fire is here.

NEW - Community Meeting on 8/7/2025 and 8/8/2025

THURSDAY NIGHT! A community meeting with Gifford Fire officials will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 7:00 pm

  • Five Cities Fire Authority
  • 140 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Overview of the current situation and planned activities will be provided.

FRIDAY NIGHT! A second community meeting will be held tomorrow night, August 8, at 7:00 pm. The second meeting will be held at:
  • Branch Elementary School
  • 970 School Rd, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Overview of the current situation and planned activities will be provided.

EVACUATION SHELTERS 

An evacuation shelter has been established at:

  • Arroyo Grande High School, 495 Valley Rd., Arroyo Grande

Household pets are welcome. American Red Cross staff are on site to assist and provide information.

Visit our Evacuation Shelter page for more information and directions.

LARGE ANIMAL SHELTERING

Large animal shelters have been established at the following locations:

  • Elks Rodeo Grounds, 4040 Highway 101, Santa Maria. Enter Morningside Drive, Gate 2
  • A north county large animal shelter has been established. Please call 805-781-1404 for information. 

For large animal evacuation assistance, please contact Horse Emergency Evacuation Team (HEET) at 805-466-7457.

Visit our Evacuation Shelter page for more information and directions.

SMALL ANIMAL SHELTERING

Small household animal shelter has been established at:

SLO County Animal Services Shelter, 865 Oklahoma Ave, San Luis Obispo. (Open 8 AM to 5PM). Please call ahead if bringing an animal to the shelter. 

For small animal evacuation assistance, please contact SLO County Animal Services at 805-781-4800 (Open 8 AM to 5PM).

During an incident

Current Road Closures

Evacuation Information

Emergency Maps

Sheltering Information

Family Reunification Information