Crews reached 69% containment on the Gifford Fire Friday after two weeks of fighting the blaze in remote, rugged terrain. 

Almost 5,000 people are assigned to the 132,605-acre wildfire response, including crews from all over the country. Five structures have been destroyed and nine firefighters have been injured since the fire started on Aug. 1, according to incident commanders. 

Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties reduced and canceled more evacuation orders on Thursday, as crews make good firefighting progress. 

Most of the activity is in the northwest edge of the blaze, in SLO County, while there are solid containment lines around significant sections of the southern and eastern edges of the fire perimeter. 

Officials reopened Highway 166 this week but drivers should expect delays because of a lane closure for Caltrans repair crews.  

The Air Pollution Control District canceled an air quality alert and watch for Santa Barbara County Friday due to increasing containment on the fire. A firing operation put up a lot of smoke on Wednesday, but recent air quality monitoring readings have been good, the agency said. 

Spanish Ranch Fire Anniversary

Gifford Fire incident command noted that Friday is the anniversary of the 1979 Spanish Ranch Fire, when four firefighters were killed battling the blaze. They were Capt. Ed Marty and firefighters Scott Cox, Ron Lorant and Steve Manley of the Nipomo Cal Fire station. 

That fire started on Aug. 15, 1979 along Highway 166. Three members of the engine crew were overcome by the erratic fire and died. A fourth ran away, but was severely burned and died of his injuries months later. 

“Their sacrifice led to lasting improvements in firefighter safety. We honor their memory and the commitment of all who serve on the fireline,” officials said. 

Last week, while responding to the Gifford Fire, a strike team from Sacramento “stumbled upon” the monument to these fallen firefighters. 

“The members of our local strike team took the time to clean and refresh the memorial site to honor those fallen members of CDF Engine 5373,” Sacramento Fire Department representatives said on social media. 

The Gifford Fire and the 80,786-acre Madre Fire, which ignited on July 2, both started along Highway 166. The cause of both blazes are under investigation.