Firefighters battle massive wildfire in central California; three injured

Firefighters are struggling to contain a fast-moving wildfire in central California that has injured three people and is threatening hundreds of homes.

The Gifford Fire, burning through Los Padres National Forest, has spread across more than 259 square kilometres (100 square miles) in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, with only 3% containment as of Monday, according to local authorities.

The fire began Friday as multiple smaller blazes along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield before merging into a single large wildfire. At least 450 structures remain under threat.

Officials said one resident was hospitalised with burn injuries. Two contract workers assisting firefighters were also injured when their all-terrain vehicle overturned.

More than 1,000 personnel are working in hot, dry conditions to contain the fire ahead of forecast sundowner winds, which could bring erratic gusts of up to 40 kilometres per hour later in the day, complicating efforts to hold fire lines.

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